Manny Pacquiao Faces Lawsuit, Heads Towards March Trial

Manny Pacquiao is reportedly facing trial. 

The retired eight-division champion is scheduled to go to trial on March 3 for a lawsuit filed by Paradigm for an alleged Breach of Contract. It was filed by Paradigm Sports founder/combat sports manager Audie Attar in Orange County Superior Courts in June 2021, just one month after Pacquiao announced his then-planned superfight against unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr.
“Manny’s days of thumbing his nose at our contractual rights are almost at an end,” Attar said in a statement told Boxing Scene. “We have an overwhelming case against him and look forward to justice being served. 

“The Court has already entered an Order stating that – due to his consistent violation of court orders – Pacquiao is now deemed to have admitted that he breached his contract with Paradigm and that Paradigm has suffered more than $20 million in damages.” 

Attar claims that Pacquiao failed to fulfill business promises, which came as a requirement to a $3.3 million advance. Those requirements included a four-fight deal, which also included a fight between Pacquiao and Mikey Garcia.  

Paradigm allegedly expected the news of that fight in spring 2021, but instead the Filipino boxer revealed his plans to take a shot at Spence’s WBC and IBF welterweight titles. 

This prompted Paradigm and Attar to take action on their promise, but Pacquiao’s legal team resisted. 

“The complaint filed by Paradigm Sports in California state court on Friday is a frivolous effort to interfere with Manny Pacquiao’s upcoming mega fight, and it can and will fail for numerous reasons,” Dale Kinsella, representing Pacquiao on behalf of Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump LLP said in a statement issued to BoxingScene.com. “Moreover, had Manny Pacquiao known that Paradigm Sports appears to have had no intention of fulfilling its contractual obligations, he never would have entered into any relationship with them.” 

Added Pacquiao at the time: “If this frivolous lawsuit continues, I will be proven correct in court.” 

The event was not blocked, but Pacquiao did have a change in opponents anyways. He faced Yordenis Ugas after Spence was forced to pull out due to a torn eye retina.  

Pacquiao lost and retired the following month. 

The lawsuit seemed to be sidelined since Pacquiao had no promotional contract, but that changed after the former champion signed a deal with RIZIN Fighting Federation and plans to pursue another exhibition bout. 

“If any promoters, managers, fighters or broadcasting networks are considering entering into an agreement with Manny prior to the trial, they are now on notice,” Attar said.  

“Paradigm will immediately commence an action against them for tortious interference with contract and seek both an injunction and damages.” 

A hearing for the case is scheduled for February 14. The case is assumed to proceed on March 3.