“Mayweather Jr. and the others set out on a course designed to destroy Pacquiao’s career, reputation, honor and legacy and jeopardize his ability to earn the highest levels of compensation,” the lawsuit said.”
Pacquiao vs. Mayweather court battle
Pacquiao sued Mayweather his father, Floyd Sr., his uncle, Roger and Golden Boy Promotions top executives Oscar De La Hoya and Richard Schaefer of falsely accusing him of taking performance enhancing drugs (PEDs).
In rejecting the defendant’s motion to dismiss, US District Judge Larry Hicks said in a court order that there was basis in Pacquiao’s lawsuit and the case would now move forward.
“Moving defendants argue that Pacquiao has failed to sufficiently allege malice because moving defendants could not have known one way or the other whether Pacquiao had actually taken PEDs when they made the alleged defamatory statements,” Hicks’ order said.
“However, the court finds that Pacquiao has sufficiently pled malice in the amended complaint,” he added.
Pacquiao’s lawyer Daniel Petrocelli of the Los Angeles-based O’Melveny & Myers law office welcomed the court order and said that it gives the boxing star “his day in court.”
“We are extremely pleased with the Court’s decision. Manny is looking forward to his day in court and to put an end to these irresponsible accusations,” Petrocelli said.
Petrocelli said that the unfounded allegations against his clients have undermined the Filipino boxer’s reputation as well as cast a cloud of doubt on his achievements as the only fighter to win eight world titles in different weight classes.
A lawyer for Mayweather said that the lawsuit was without merit and that they would continue to fight for its dismissal.
Las Vegas lawyer Mark Tratos told the Associated Press that the defendants merely questioned Pacquiao’s reluctance to submit to random drug testing, but stop short of declaring Pacquiao a drug user.
Tratos said that Pacquiao would also have trouble proving the defendants acted with malice, which was required because the famous Filipino boxer was a public figure.
Pacquiao’s suit mentioned various interviews given by the defendants in which they suggested that Pacquiao’s strength and power were not natural.
Pacquiao claimed these comments by the defendants were part of a defamation campaign against him.
“Mayweather Jr. and the others set out on a course designed to destroy Pacquiao’s career, reputation, honor and legacy and jeopardize his ability to earn the highest levels of compensation,” the lawsuit said. BY JUN MEDINA
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