Pacquiao returns to ABS-CBN

Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao renewed his ties with ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., which will air his next matches including his highly-anticipated superfight with British superstar Ricky Hatton on May 2.

“Pagkatapos kong pagisipang mabuti nilapitan ko ang ABS-CBN [at] nagpagpasyahan ko pong makipag partner muli sa kanila,” Pacquiao, the reigning pound-for-pound king, said Wednesday.

“Sarili ko itong desisyon,” he added. “Sa ABS-CBN mapapanood nyo ang laban ko kay Ricky Hatton at iba ko pang laban.”

Pacquiao and ABS-CBN have collaborated in some of his fights, including the one against Mexican Oscar Larios in July 2006. The broadcasting network also aired his matches to Filipinos overseas through ABS-CBN's The Filipino Channel.

“Wala pang pagbabago,” the General Santos native assured his fans. “Ang laban ko ay laban nating lahat mga Pilipino, kahit saan mang sulok ng mundo.”

Pacquiao also appealed for support from his fans especially in his upcoming fight against Hatton, who is considered as his toughest match to date.

“Sana po, lagi nyo akong ipagdasal sa mga darating ko pang laban, lalung lalo na this coming May second,” said the Filipino champ, who also thanked his former network GMA-7.

ABS-CBN welcomed the return of Pacquiao even as it assured its support for his campaign against Hatton.

“We are very happy with the decision of Manny Pacquiao to be his partner in future fights, including the Pacquiao-Hatton fight on May 2. As his former media partner, we shall support Manny's campaign to bring honor to the Philippines and to his kababayans here and around the world,” said Bong Osorio, ABS-CBN Head of Corporate Communications, in a statement.

“To Manny, we say, 'Welcome home, Kapamilya',” he added.

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