WALANG planong makipag-away ang eight division world champion na si Manny Pacquiao hingil sa isyu ng kanyang kontrata sa Top Rank.
Para sa kanya, maayos niyang nagampanan ang trabaho sa Top Rank at ngayon ay isa nang ganap na free agent.
Ang huling laban ni Pacman sa Top Rank ay kontra kay Australian Jeff Horn na nauwi sa controversial na kabiguan ng Pinoy champion.
Sinabi ni Pacquiao na ang kanyang kompanyang MP Promotions ang hahawak sa laban niya kay WBA “regular” welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse. Iniurong sa Hulyo 8 ang laban mula sa orihinal na Hunyo 24.
Aniya, iimbitahan niya si Top Rank CEO Bob Arum na manood ng laban niya kay Matthysse. Sunod na lalabanan ng 39-anyos si two-time Olympic champion Vasyl Lomachenko. Nakatakdang lumaban ang Ukrainian kay WBA lightweight champion Jorge Linares sa Mayo 12.
“He (Arum) is invited and there’s no problem. I think after my fight with Matthysse, we will talk regarding the possible Pacquiao-Lomachenko fight in the future,” pahayag ni Pacquiao sa sports media sa ginanap na 18th Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Awards Night and Banquet of Champions sa Okada Hotel Manila.
“MP Promotion will handle that fight. I’m not claiming anything. I just formed the MP Promotion.”aniya.
“That is a good fight (Matthysse) because he is a champion and I’ll be challenged to become a champion again. At the same time, I don’t want the people to say that’s just a tune-up fight.”
Iginiit ni lawyer Eldibrando Viernesto, legal counsel ni Pacman, na natapos na ang kontrata ng Pinoy Senator sa laban kay Horn.
“I reviewed the contract and I found out that Bob Arum has no more say even in the rematch, should there be any between Manny Pacquiao and Australian boxer Jeff Horn,” pahayag ni Viernesto.
“I’m not angry with Bob, I’m thankful to Bob for everything. For his help and his support. I know how to look at a debt of gratitude,” ayon kay Pacquiao.
