A former member of Manny Pacquiao’s entourage told a jury Tuesday he was hit so hard by the famous boxer’s trainer that he could not stay on his feet.
Gregorio Asuncion sued trainer Freddie Roach and his Wild Card Gym Boxing Club in Los Angeles Superior Court in November 2008. Asuncion and his wife Allyson allege Asuncion was trying to clear out the gym in Hollywood on Oct. 20, 2008 so Pacquiao could spar, when Roach attacked him outside the locker room.
“Somebody hit me from the back. It was so strong immediately I knelt down and it felt like the roof was falling over me,” Asuncion said. “I saw Mr. Freddie Roach behind me. He said, ‘I told you already to leave this gym, to get the hell out of here.’”
Asked by his attorney, Robert H. McNeill, if he was sure Roach was his assailant, Asuncion replied, “I have no doubt. He was the only one behind me.”
Asuncion testified with the assistance of a Tagalog interpreter.
According to Asuncion, a short while after he and the boxer arrived at the gym there were about 50 people present when someone announced twice, “It’s Pacquiao time,” meaning it was the point when the pugilist was to begin his training.
Then, the announcer walked up to Asuncion and told him the facility was in a “lockdown” and that he should leave, the witness said.
“He said Freddie did not want me to watch the practice,” Asuncion said.
The witness testified he then walked up to Roach to ask if he could stay.
“I asked whether I could watch the practice of Manny because it was my day off at that time,” Asuncion said. “He said, ‘I don’t want you here, there’s a lot of people here already.’”
Asuncion said he told Roach he respected his wishes and went to the locker room to tell Pacquiao he would wait for him at a nearby Thai food restaurant. Some members of the boxer’s crew began to chide him, saying “We thought you were strong in this gym.”
But Asuncion said he told Pacquiao he still preferred to wait for him at the restaurant. He said he was still at the locker room doorway when Roach allegedly hit him with both fists.
The main impact was on his shoulders, the witness said.
Asuncion testified he was dazed, and remembers being shoved out of the gym by someone other than Roach. He said he went to a liquor store to dial 911 and called paramedics.
Asuncion was taken to Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital and treated for a neck sprain and a contusion to the head, according to his court papers.
He testified that it took about two weeks before he began to feel normal. The witness also said he has spent thousands of dollars in medical fees and was off work for three days. Asuncion, 52, is an X-ray technician with the Sheriff’s Department.
Asuncion said he sometimes blames himself for what happened and thinks maybe things would be different if he never met Pacquiao.
“I should not have known him so these things would not have happened,” Asuncion said.
At times Asuncion’s voice broke and he had trouble answering McNeill’s questions about the emotional impact the alleged assault has had upon him.
McNeill accused Roach, sitting behind his lawyers, of snickering, but Judge Kenneth R. Freeman said he did not see such conduct.
Asuncion was schedueld to resume his testimony Wednesday.
Roach denies Asuncion’s claim that he hit him in the back of the neck and stated in his deposition that he put his hands “softly” on the plaintiff’s shoulders, calling it a “friendly gesture.”
The suit’s allegations include assault, battery, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligence, premises liability and loss of consortium.
