By John F. McKenna (McJack): It was reported by the Philippine Star today that Manny Pacquiao legal counsel Franklin Gascal is saying that Manny should have a say as to which network airs his November 12 showdown with Juan Manuel Marquez.

“He’s the co-promoter so he needs to be part of the decision” said Gascal of Pacquiao.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said the decision would be coming in a matter of days as to whether HBO/Warner or Showtime/CBS will air the event.

Arum said that there is a lot of money involved and from the 10 million dollars Showtime coughed up for the Manny Pacquiao – Shane Mosley fight, this one could go as high as 15 million dollars. Arum said that it is unbelievable how much money HBO and Showtime are willing to put up for the Pacquiao – Marquez fight.

The Mosley fight did around 1.4 million PPV buys and Arum believes that Pacquiao’s bout with Marquez could exceed 1.5 million.

Gascal was quoted as saying “While we respect Arum’s decision, everything must be transparent to Manny because he gets a percentage of everything that goes into the pot.”

Manny was guaranteed 20 million dollars for the Mosley fight and received another 10 million dollars through the PPV sales.

“That’s why right from the start Manny should be involved in it. He should know by the end of the day when the accounting is done, everything there is to see. Manny has to have a say in choosing the network,” Gascal added.

It is clear that Bob Arum is delighted and cannot contain his glee over the amount of money that competitors HBO and Showtime are willing to shell out to host the Pacquiao – Marquez fight. “Uncle” Bob will be a major beneficiary of the bidding war between the two media giants. After being left out in the cold by Arum’s decision to go with Showtime instead of HBO for Pacquiao’s fight with Mosley, HBO wants to get back into the game. Arum being the master promoter that he is, will play it for all its worth.

It is equally clear that Manny Pacquiao, through his attorney, wants to get every penny that is due him for his fights and that he have some input in the decision making process. The time has come that Pacquiao wants to be included in those decisions.