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Bob Arum: Manny Pacquiao will remain at HBO despite Koncz comments

Adviser Michael Koncz says that Manny Pacquiao could consider fighting on any network, but promoter Bob Arum says the Filipino superstar will only be fighting on HBO.

Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE

Manny Pacquiao has been pretty quiet since his December knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez, but today's TV brouhaha has brought adviser Michael Koncz out of the woodwork, as Koncz tells The RING that Manny would be open to fighting on HBO or Showtime:

"Top Rank is our promoter and we respect that. However, the way Manny's contract is written with our promoter, MP Promotions is co-promoter and has equal say in venues, broadcast networks and various other issues. My obligation and my duty is to do what is in the best interest of Manny Pacquiao. In that regard, what can HBO, Showtime, Televisa or Azteca be willing to do for the benefit of Manny Pacquiao, one of the all-time greatest boxers. These discussions are ongoing."

Arum was very clear saying that Manny will remain with HBO:

"Our contract with Manny Pacquiao is clear. We have a contract until the end of 2014, and it provides clearly that his decisions are ours and ours alone. Manny Pacquiao will fight on HBO and HBO pay-per-view from now until as long as our contract is in effect."

Pacquiao, 34, fought on Showtime once, when he and Arum skipped town on HBO to prove a point and take Manny to SHO PPV for an unwanted fight against Shane Mosley. The event was a dud, and Pacquiao and Arum went back to HBO for their next bout, after former HBO Sports boss Ross Greenburg was axed.

In short, Manny Pacquiao is a Top Rank fighter, Top Rank fighters will fight on HBO only, and Manny Pacquiao will fight on HBO, and Michael Koncz probably doesn't really have much say in that.

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