Manny TV rights pact to last 2012

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao’s contract with Solar Entertainment regarding TV rights on the boxer’s future fights is “etched in stone,” according to the network’s chief operating officer, Peter Chanliong.

“It’s a black-and-white deal that lasts until 2012,” Chanliong said yesterday after a report (not in The STAR) said the boxer is severing ties with Solar in favor of a “giant television network.”

Solar has enjoyed TV rights over Pacquiao for the last few years, and the coming fight against Ricky Hatton will be the 12th partnership between the Pinoy icon and the sports-based network.

“Our contract lasts until 2012 and this includes the Ricky Hatton fight. It is etched in stone. We have a deal,” Chanliong said.

Pacquiao takes on Hatton in May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and the pound-for-pound king said he wants a couple more fights, two or three, after this one.

Unless their contract is rescinded, Pacquiao’s TV rights will be with Solar until he retires.

“It was made in negative fashion, just when Pacquiao is busy training for a fight. We have a deal with Pacquiao and GMA-7 and we will do it again,” the COO said of the report.

Solar, a cable channel, has tie-ups with GMA-7 on the airing of the Pacquiao fights on a slightly delayed basis.

The Solar-Pacquiao partnership has aired fights against Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Hector Velasquez, Jorge Solis, David Diaz and Oscar dela Hoya.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao enters his third week of training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, and shall begin sparring tomorrow (Tuesday in LA) under trainer Freddie Roach.

Roach was out in England last week as he attended to his younger protégé, Amir Khan, who demolished the aging Mexican warrior in Marco Antonio Barrera at the MEN Arena.

Roach will be back in charge of the Pacquiao training today. In his absence, Pacquiao worked out under Buboy Fernandez, Nonoy Neri, Michael Moorer, Eric Brown and Alex Ariza.