By NICK GIONGCO
ALL’S well that ends well.
Manny Pacquiao yesterday expressed his heartfelt thanks to Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum’s contribution to his illustrious career after the two came to an agreement over the non-payment of the Filipino star’s share from the broadcast rights of his July 15 fight in Malaysia.
Last Monday, Pacquiao came out on social media and via a press release that was quickly consumed by the Philippine media, threatening Arum’s Top Rank if a lawsuit for the alleged refusal to pay Pacquiao’s $1.7-million cut.
Arum, 86, immediately reached out to settle the issue and within hours, the two parties had found a solution.
“Everything has been clarified,” Pacquiao said in his Instagram account, pointing to the issue as a simple case of “miscommunication” on the part of Arum and Pacquiao’s team.
The post by Pacquiao, though, sounded like a farewell statement as far as his relationship with Arum is concerned.
“I would like to thank Bob and Top Rank for helping guide my career and for the many great years of working together,” said Pacquiao, who plans to fight on Dec. 1 possibly against Amir Khan of England.
“We have accomplished so many great things together,” added Pacquiao, whose victories over Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Erik Morales have become a part of boxing’s landmark events.
Pacquiao stopped Argentine slugger Lucas Matthysse in his last outing in Kuala Lumpur, a win that set him up for a fight before the end of the year.