California jury rules against Manny Pacquiao in Paradigm breach of contract case
Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines enters the ring for his fight against Yordenis Ugas of Cuba during the WBA Welterweight Championship boxing match at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 21, 2021. (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON / AFP)
Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao said his legal team is reviewing the decision of a California jury that ruled against him in a breach of contract case filed by Paradigm Sports Management.
A report on ESPN.com said the jury sided with Paradigm, 9-3, in a civil lawsuit against Pacquiao, who is alleged to have acted in bad faith and failed to disclose other existing contracts he had when he entered a representation agreement with the sports management agency.
“The decision is still being reviewed by my US lawyers as there is no final judgment yet on the case,” said Pacquiao in a statement sent to the Philippine media.
“While I respect the decision of the jury, I feel that our position on this case was not fully appreciated so I am definitely pursuing other legal remedies so that truth and justice will prevail,” he added
According to the same ESPN report, Paradigm said it is owed $8 million in damages.
Pacquiao’s legal counsel in the case said they are awaiting the court’s final decision with another hearing scheduled in June.
“A final judgment has not been entered. The court has scheduled a hearing in June and there are still legal issues that need to be addressed before the case is fully resolved. We look forward to the final decision of the court,” Atty. Jason Aniel also said through a statement.
FILE– Manny Pacquiao and Errol Spence Jr pose for the media following their press conference at Fox Studios on July 11, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Michael Owens/Getty Images/AFP
Pacquiao joined Paradigm in February 2020. He was sued by the company after he signed on to face Errol Spence Jr. in a bout presented by TGB Promotions while Paradigm was negotiating for him to fight another boxer in Mikey Garcia.
The fight against Spence pushed through despite Paradigm’s effort to stop it through an injunction before Pacquiao’s opponent pulled out due to a retinal tear.
In an interview with ESPN, Paradigm’s trial attorney Judd Burstein said that despite Pacquiao’s contract with TGB Promotions the former Filipino senator still accepted $3.3 million from Paradigm and declined to face Garcia.
Pacquiao and Paradigm reportedly had an agreement for a four-fight deal with streaming service DAZN that would’ve included a Garcia fight in Saudi Arabia.
Pacquiao has not fought in a professional match since losing to Yordenis Ugas, a late replacement for Spence, via unanimous decision in August 2021. He last figured in an exhibition match against South Korean Youtuber and martial artist DK Yoo last December.
