By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao revealed yesterday that there is a plan to telecast his Grand Finale rubber match with legendary Mexican Erik "El Terrible" Morales "live" and free of commercials either over the giant Philippine network ABS-CBN and/or the government TV network NBN.
In a long distance telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today from his hometown of General Santos where he was resting after a quick trip to Las Vegas for a press conference to promote the showdown at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on November 18, Pacquiao disclosed the plan without providing any additional details. Indications are, details would be worked out when Pacquiao returns to Manila within a few days.
Pacquiao’s MP Promotions obtained Philippine broadcast rights from Top Rank promoter Bob Arum in a deal which would turn over the free TV rights to ABS-CBN and cable rights, pay-per-view in theaters and DVD rights to Solar Sports.
Pacquiao also disclosed the Morales fight will be "the last time" the Philippine broadcast rights would be shared, adding that after this "it will all be mine."
Pacquiao who is spending time with his family in GenSan said he had a slight cold because of the hot weather in Las Vegas and the cold air-conditioning in his hotel suite but asked his fans not to worry. In fact, Pacquiao said he had already started jogging because he wanted to get into condition before leaving for Los Angeles early next month to begin training at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym.
When asked about the third battle with Morales and told how the entire nation was banking on him Pacquiao laughed and said "of course I will beat Morales. This is the final countdown."
The devastating puncher who has emerged as a national treasure admitted that one of his faults was his inability to say "no" and to be kind to everybody because "I have a soft heart." However, he admitted it was time for him to think of the business side of his career and to think of his family and their future.
Pacquiao is expected back in Manila within a few days to finalize details of the TV coverage which, if the no commercial plan pushes through would be a historic first for a title fight of such a huge magnitude.
