Solar threatens to sue Pacquiao to enforce airing rights

MANILA, Philippines – Solar Entertainment Corp. on Wednesday threatened to take Manny Pacquiao to court to enforce the company’s rights to air the world’s top pound-for-pound boxer’s upcoming bout with Ricky Hatton fights on local television. Solar gave the warning after Pacquiao declared he was rescinding his license agreement with the company. Pacquiao picked ABS-CBN to air his fight with Hatton and his succeeding bouts. He announced his decision to make the switch in a letter to Solar and on national TV Wednesday. But Solar reiterated that the company’s four-year contract with Pacquiao’s MP Promotions remains “in full force and in effect until May 6, 2011" and that the company will fight for its rights. “Naniniwala po ang Solar na ang kontrata nila kay Manny Pacquiao ay legal and binding. Valid pa ito. Hindi ito maaaring labagin ni Manny Pacquiao o ng ABS-CBN. We caution other entities from entering into contracts with Manny Pacquiao in violation of this agreement," Solar legal counsel Enrique dela Cruz said. Dela Cruz also warned that Solar would seek legal relief to prevent ABS-CBN from airing the Pacquiao-Hatton “Battle of East and West" fight. Under the Pacquiao-Solar pact, Solar enjoys the right to decide which television network it wishes to air Pacman’s fights but as courtesy, it advises the boxing icon on the television network to be used as host broadcaster. “However, Solar has the final decision per our legal prerogative as the rights holder," Solar chief operating officer Peter ChanLiong said in an earlier statement. GMA, the TV network chosen by Solar for the coverage of Pacquiao’s “Battle of East and West" bout with Hatton, has yet to issue a statement on the development. -GMANews.TV