By Ronnie Nathanielsz

The founding secretary general of the World Boxing Council, the eminent lawyer Rudy Salud says Top Rank promoter Bob Arum “has no case at all” against Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao, celebrated trainer Freddie Roach, Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions or Pacquiao’s lawyer Franklin “Jing” Jacal.

Salud told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that Pacquiao had every right to sign a promotional deal with Golden Boy Promotions which comes into effect after his November 18 Grand Finale rubber match against legendary Mexican Erik “El Terrible” Morales. Salud said signing the deal with Golden Boy Promotions “in no way can be construed as tortuous interference” in Pacquiao’s contract with Arum and Top Rank as promoter for the November 18 bout.

Salud said Arum was putting forth “a strained interpretation of the meaning of tortuous interference.”

Reacting to complaints that the contract with Golden Boy was being given so much media attention that it diminished coverage of the third encounter with Morales Salud said, “in fact it is helping in the promotion of the November 18 because of all the media interest.”

At the same time Salud who earlier claimed that Arum, a lawyer, had “ probably forgotten his law” He said Arum and could even “open himself to a counter-suit by Pacquiao for harassment,” especially at a crucial time in his training for the fight with Morales who is handled by Arum. Salud suggested that Pacquiao “go ahead and concentrate on his training and don’t worry because if there was really any tortuous interference which I doubt, it was by Golden Boy and not Pacquiao.” However, Salud added “there is no such thing because Golden Boy hasn’t interfered, impaired or impeded the November 18 of contract.”

Salud noted that Arum appeared to be backing off from his initial strong statements that he would take legal action because his lawyers  “probably advised Arum that he had no case at all.”