Manny Pacquiao’s trainer — testifying Wednesday in his own defense in a civil assault case brought by a former member of the boxer’s entourage — denied punching the plaintiff, saying he did nothing more than squeeze his shoulders.
Freddie Roach took the stand as the final witness in the trial of Gregorio Asuncion’s lawsuit against the trainer and the Wild Card Boxing Gym.
Roach told jurors he initially put his hands on Asuncion’s shoulders in a friendly way of telling him that he and others in the gym needed to leave so Pacquiao could spar in private. He said he only squeezed due to Asuncion’s subsequent reaction.
“He bucked back and he caused me to hold on so I didn’t fall down,” Roach said.
Asuncion testified Tuesday that he was punched twice and hit so hard by the boxer’s trainer that he could not stay on his feet. He also said he suffered neck and shoulder pain and had to be hospitalized.
Asuncion sued Roach and his Hollywood gym in Los Angeles Superior Court in November 2008. Asuncion and his wife allege Roach attacked him outside the locker room on Oct. 20, 2008.
But Roach said there was nothing hostile about his actions and that Asunion — who he referred to in his testimony as “Sheriff” because the plaintiff is an X-ray technician for the Sheriff’s Department — never gave him any trouble when he asked him on previous occasions to leave the gym during sparring.
Roach told jurors he sometimes lets the crowds watch Pacquiao train if he feels his fighter needs the motivation from the gathering, but will excuse them during sparring so the boxer can focus on what he is being instructed.
Another defense witness, Pacquiao lead bodyguard Robert Peters, also testified that Roach’s did not mistreat Asuncion.
“Freddie grabbed him from behind and redirected him and said ‘Come on Greg, let’s go.’”
A third defense witness, Los Angeles police officer Nicholas Lee, said he concluded after interviewing witnesses that no crime occurred.
“There was no evidence of a beating,” Lee said.
Earlier Wednesday, Allyson Asuncion told jurors that her husband’s injuries had caused some riffs in their marriage in both a physical and an emotional sense.
The Filipino woman said it was difficult for her to open up to the jury.
“It’s against my culture to be exposing my private life to everybody,” she said.
Final arguments are scheduled for Thursday.
The suit’s allegations include assault, battery, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligence, premises liability and loss of consortium.
