Manila – ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. and Top Rank Promotions have formally announced their partnership for boxing entertainment. According to the ABS-CBN news website, Top Rank chief Bob Arum and ABS-CBN chairman and CEO Eugenio ‘Gabby’ Lopez III have officially signed the agreement. One of the immediate plans of the partnership is the airing of Pinoy Power III in February on ABS-CBN channels. Pinoy Power III, scheduled on February 13 in Las Vegas next year, will feature Nonito Donaire Jr., Gerry Peñalosa, and Bernabe Concepcion. According to the report, Arum said that they plan to organize monthly shows to be aired by ABS-CBN, adding that there will be as many as 50 boxing programs a year. He added he hopes the partnership can give exposure to budding Filipino boxers, so that they can be showcased on Philippine TV. Lopez, meanwhile, said the partnership could be a start of something big. “We’re very happy with this start,” he said. ABS-CBN rival GMA Networks has tended to lead the way in airing boxing, which is immensely popular in the Philippines – especially due to the international success of national hero Manny Pacquiao.