ESPN reports that Manny Pacquiao has settled his defamation lawsuit with Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer and Oscar de la Hoya. The lawsuit filed in 2009 stems from alleged statements claiming Pacquiao took performance enhancing drugs.
Floyd Mayweather Jr., Floyd Mayweather Sr., Roger Mayweather and Mayweather Promotions remain as defendants in the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Nevada.
The Fight Lawyer has further background of the lawsuit here.
Terms of the settlement with Golden Boy and de la Hoya were kept confidential. However, Golden Boy issued a statement of apology:
Richard Schaefer and Oscar de la Hoya, on behalf of themselves and Golden Boy Promotions, wish to make it crystal clear that we never intended to claim that Manny Pacquiao has used or is using any performance enhancing drugs, and further state that we do not have any evidence whatsoever of such use.
“Manny Pacquiao is one of the greatest fighters of all time, and we apologize if anyone construed our prior remarks as in any way claiming or even suggesting that Manny uses or has used performance enhancing drugs.”
(H/t: Bad Left Hook)
Pacquiao’s counsel reaffirmed the fact that it will continue its litigation against the Mayweathers and did not exclude adding others to the lawsuit.
Payout Perspective:
An interesting twist to this legal battle which exemplified the bad blood between Golden Boy and Top Rank when the Pacquiao and Mayweather camps could not come together on terms for a fight. Perhaps de la Hoya’s personal problems contributed to the decision to concede. A statement of concession and praise from the Golden Boy side appears to be extending the olive branch to Top Rank. As a result, Pacquiao’s counsel accepted whatever terms were negotiated and dismissed Golden Boy from the lawsuit. Maybe this is the beginning of a truce between Golden Boy and Top Rank which could lead to a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight in 2012. Then again, maybe not.
Couldn’t they just… settle this beef in the ring? *sigh*
“Maybe this is the beginning of a truce between Golden Boy and Top Rank which could lead to a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight in 2012.”
Except for the fact that the Mayweathers are still being sued by Pacquiao. The match fell apart the first time due to petty issues, and this petty lawsuit is the result. I just can’t see the brash and arrogant Mayweather backing down from his statements, or stepping up to fight.
MV,
I agree. I do think the “truce” could help a fighter like Nonito Donaire who is embroiled in another GB vs. TR legal battle over his contract. Yet, I think what it will boil down to is $. If Mayweather really owes the IRS, he may do the fight to get out of debt.
Well then I certainly hope that he does 🙂