Pacquiao lawyer shrugs off class suits
LOS ANGELES—The American lawyer of Manny Pacquiao has shrugged off a class-action lawsuit filed by two Nevada men seeking millions in damages because they say he fraudulently
In this May 2, 2015 photo, Manny Pacquiao answers questions during a press conference following his welterweight title fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas. A class-action lawsuit has been filed by two Nevada men seeking millions in damages because they say he fraudulently concealed a shoulder injury before his defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr. AP PHOTO/JOHN LOCHER
concealed a shoulder injury before his defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Daniel Petrocelli told The Los Angeles Times that he expected the lawsuit to be dismissed.
“It claims Pacquiao was injured (immediately) before the bout and that’s not true he was injured (nearly a month) before the bout, was examined by doctors and cleared to fight,” Petrocelli said. “And he was examined by the commission right before he fought.”
It is just the latest fallout from Mayweather’s victory in Las Vegas on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) in a unanimous decision, with Pacquiao saying afterward that the shoulder complaint hampered his performance in the welterweight world title showdown.
The plaintiffs argue that by failing to go public with the injury before the feverishly anticipated bout, the Philippine icon and his camp violated the Nevada Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
The suit filed in the US District Court in Las Vegas names Pacquiao, his manager Michael Koncz, promotional company Top Rank and Top Rank chair Bob Arum and president Todd DuBoef.
According to court documents available online, the lawsuit claims that when plaintiffs Stephane Vanel and Kami Rahbaran who bought tickets, forked out pay-per-view fees or bet on the fight the defendants “knew and had full knowledge and information that defendant Pacquiao had been seriously injured and was suffering from a torn rotator cuff.”
“Defendants further know that such injury would severely affect his performance,” the lawsuit says.
“None of the defendants informed or apprised the public or even the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) about the injury to defendant Pacquiao,” it says.
The clash between Pacquiao and Mayweather at the MGM Grand Garden Arena was billed the “Fight of the Century.” It’s certainly set to go down as the most lucrative bout in history, with possible revenue of $400 million.
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That could include as many as 3 million pay-per-view purchases, at about $100 each.
The bout went the full scheduled 12 rounds, Mayweather easily winning on the three judges’ scorecards to take his perfect record to 48-0.
After the fight, Pacquiao and Top Rank revealed the 36-year-old had been injured in training camp some three weeks earlier.
They said he’d been cleared by doctors to fight, although they had expected him to be able to take an anti-inflammatory injection on fight night, but the NSAC ultimately denied him.
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