Boxing champion Senator Emmanuel "Manny" Paqcuiao downplayed Monday, June 28, the charges reportedly filed against him by Paradigm Sports Management.
“Paradigm Sports’ lawsuit against me has no merit," Pacquiao said in a statement sent to Senate reporters.
"Sadly, this frivolous lawsuit intends to distract my preparations for a historic fight. But it does not bother me a bit," he added.
Reports said Audie Attar, chief executive officer of Paradigm, filed a lawsuit against the boxer-turned-senator and sought a $3.3 million payment for alleged breach of contract.
They also sought a court injuction to stop Pacquiao's scheduled bout against Errol Spence Jr. on August 21 in Las Vegas Nevada.
Paradigm said Pacquiao "damaged" its reputation and caused millions of dollars of losses for pursuing his fight against Spence, when the firm was negotiating for the eight-division world boxing champion to face American welterweight contender Mikey Garcia.
Pacquiao signed a contract With TGB Promotions which also promoted his last fight vs Kieth Thurman last July 2019.
Pacquaio’s legal counsel in the US, Kinsella Welzman Iser Kump LLP, also issued a statement saying: “The complaint filed by Paradigm Sports in California state court on Friday is a frivolous effort to interfere with Manny Pacquio’s upcoming megafight and it can and will fail for numerous reasons."
"Moreover had Pacquiao known that Paradigm Sports appears to have had no intention of fulfilling its contractual agreements he never would have entered into any relationship with them. Should this matter actually proceed beyond Friday’s filing in a court of law Mr Pacquiao will vigorously defend his action, assert his own claims against Paradigm Sports and seek to recover his attorney’s fees as well.” the legal counsel added.
Pacquiao said his lawyers "are on top of this lawsuit and are ready to file counter charges against Paradigm Sports."
Lawyer Tom Falgui, the senator's Philippine-based legal counsel, was reported as saying in a statement that Paradigm's lawsuit has "no merit and legal basis", and that they are mulling to file counter charges "for damaging his good name and brand that is known and loved worldwide."
Pacquiao has been training for the fight against Spence in General Santos and "is determined to be in top shape for the fight," his camp said.
The Filipino boxing champion maintained that the August 21 Pacquiao-Spence fight will push through, saying "nothing can stop the mega fight from happening."