No More: Solar Sports Not Involved in Pacquiao Fight vs. Matthysse

For the first time since 2006, a new Manny Pacquiao fight was not aired on Solar Sports.

Manny Pacquiao’s latest bout, a seventh round knockout win over Lucas Matthysse to capture the WBA Welterweight Title, was conspicuously absent from Solar Sports programming. The reason: MP Productions, led by Arnold Vegafria, chose not to sign a broadcast deal with Solar Sports for the aforementioned event.

The last time Solar Sports was not involved in the broadcast of a Manny Pacquiao fight was in 2006. That year, ABS-CBN exclusively aired Pacquiao’s fight with Oscar Larios which took place in the Philippines.

In the months leading up to the bout, Solar Sports aired some of Pacquiao’s classic matches every Friday night in hopes of getting a call from Arnold Vegafria. But when the network announced its upcoming list of programs for July 2018, Pacquiao vs. Matthysse was nowhere to be found.

No reason was given behind MP Productions’ decision. However, considering that Solar Sports is now airing less popular sporting events and the circumstances that followed Pacquiao’s loss to Jeff Horn last year, it only made sense for MP to cease ties with the said network.

On a related note, MP was able to secure television deals with ABS-CBN, The 5 Network, GMA, SkyCable and Cignal for the broadcast and distribution of Pacquiao vs. Matthysse. This marked the first time since the heavily-hyped Pacquiao bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2015 that the Philippines’ three broadcast giants collaborated for the occasion.

Luckily for the three networks, Pacquiao secured his first knockout victory since 2009. The win came as a surprise to many considering Pacquiao’s age (the fighting senator is 39), his lack of power punching ability relative to his age, and his decision not to have long-time confidant Freddie Roach as his trainer for the bout.

Unfortunately for Solar Sports, Pacquiao’s victory was not only a lost opportunity but also the last straw. Manny Pacquiao bouts had been Solar Sports’ last ticket to relevance in recent years, but without him and his drawing power, the network is now fighting for survival.

Advertisement

Mayweather-Maidana II on FOX and TV5; PacMan Returns to GMA

Unnoticed on Philippine TV the first time, the rematch between Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Marcos Maidana will finally get its due.

TV5 and FOX Sports Asia will broadcast the second installment of Mayweather-Maidana, with the former’s WBC, WBA and The Ring welterweight titles and the WBC light middleweight title on the line. The bout will be aired on tape delay this Sunday at 12:00 p.m.

Mayweather and Maidana first fought on May 3 (May 4, Manila time), with the former successfully defending his titles and preserving his unbeaten record via majority decision. However, no TV station in the Philippines, not even GMA or Solar Sports, covered the fight, angering some boxing fans in the process.

This time around, however, TV5 and FOX Sports Asia are making sure that the rematch won’t be missed by boxing fans across the country.

The rematch between the two combatants will be as highly anticipated as the first. While Mayweather’s attempt to retain his titles and unbeaten record will once again be the center of attention, boxing fans will also look forward to Maidana’s quest to exact revenge, as he once again tries to become the first boxer to beat Mayweather in the ring.

Mayweather-Maidana II is a rematch worth watching. And boxing fans can’t wait.

A New Show for PacMan, Again

Manny Pacquiao gets another crack at the small screen.

PacMan’s latest television program, ‘MP Featuring Sport Science’, will premiere on GMA this Sunday on a timeslot that is yet to be determined. The said program will feature segments from ESPN’s ‘Sport Science’.

The entry of ‘MP Featuring Sport Science’ came at a not-so opportune time. Pacquiao has been busy preparing for his fight against Chris Algieri in November, while also dabbling into his new role as a player and head coach of the PBA’s Kia Sorentos.

Pacquiao also serves as a congressman of Sarangani province, but due to his frequent absences, he has not been able to fully commit to his political responsibilities.

For the ‘Pambansang Kamao’, ‘MP Featuring Sport Science’ represents an opportunity for redemption, especially after his recent shows ‘Show Me Da Manny’, ‘Manny Many Prizes’ and ‘Para sa ‘Yo ang Laban na ‘To’ flopped in the ratings. But then again, PacMan’s redemption is easier said than done, since its upcoming opposition are just as strong ratings-wise.

Viewers, critics and fans can only hope that Pacquiao’s latest foray into television will not affect his preparations for an upcoming boxing match, not to mention his stint in professional basketball. ‘MP Featuring Sport Science’ may be a program worth watching, but does it help PacMan in any way? Let’s see.