Pacquiao sorry for confusion caused by Solar dispute

Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has apologized to his fans for any confusion that may have been caused by his decision to cut and then renew his ties with Solar Sports Entertainment.

This was after officials of Solar Sports Entertainment patched their differences with Pacquiao Friday (Saturday in Manila) over an apparent delay in payment of its financial obligations to Pacquiao

“Taos puso akong humihingi ng paumanhin kung kayo man ay naguluhan kung saan ipapalabas ang aking darating na laban kay Ricky Hatton. Ito po ay resulta lang ng hindi pagkaka-intindihan sa pagitan ng Solar Entertainment Corporation at MP Promotions,” Pacquiao said, in a statement read by his lawyer Franklin Gacal and aired over GMA-7.

Pacquiao said he decided to return to Solar after personally meeting with the company’s president Wilson Tieng and chief operating officer Peter Chanliong.

Valid contract

“Matapos ang masusing pag-aaral at pagtimbang-timbang namin ng Solar Entertainment Corporation, napatunayan na ang kontrata tungkol sa TV rights ng aking mga laban ay valid and binding at hindi nilabag nino man,” the statement read.

Pacquiao said he will now concentrate on his preparations for the May 2 superfight with Ricky Hatton.

“Simula sa araw na ito ay nais kong magconcentrate nang husto na lang sa aking training para sa aking darating na laban ngayong Mayo 2,” he said.

Solar Sports Entertainment earlier announced that Pacquiao had returned to its fold after a meeting between its executives and the boxer in Los Angeles.

“Solar Entertainment Corporation, Manny Pacquiao and MP Promotions, are happy to announce that in the spirit of utmost good faith, the parties have favorably resolved their unfortunate misunderstanding. Manny and MP Promotions have agreed to honor the television rights agreement and fully comply with the terms and conditions therein,” the company said.

Solar Sports Entertainment also said that Pacquiao’s fight with Hatton will be shown on GMA-7 and Solar Sports.

ABS-CBN's response

In response to this latest development, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. said it has a signed contract with Pacquiao but that it would respect his decision if he changes his mind.

"Manny Pacquiao approached ABS-CBN to be his media partner in airing his next fights. We thank him for trusting us. He signed a contract with us, but we will not stand in the way if he decides to change his mind," ABS-CBN said. "We respect it, wish him good luck and we wait to hear from him."

Gacal, meanwhile, said that there is a possible meeting between Pacquiao and ABS-CBN Vice President for Sports Peter Musngi Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

"Sa ABS-CBN po, we would like to inform everybody that there is a possibility that Manny Pacquiao will be meeting Mr. Peter Musngi tomorrow," said Pacquiao's lawyer.

Pacquiao had rescinded his contract with Solar Sports Entertainment and chose ABS-CBN as the local broadcaster of his match against Hatton and other succeeding fights.

He claimed that Solar allegedly failed to settle its dues at the time specified in their contract.

Solar, however, claimed that the company has fulfilled all its financial obligations to Pacquiao.

abs-cbnNEWS.com