Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao will commence working on his freedom from the clutches of controversial American promoter Murad Muhammad starting on June 12, Independence Day.
Apart from wiggling out of Muhammad’s so-called air-tight promotional deal, the 26-year old Pacquiao is also hell bent in pinning down Muhammad in a $33-million lawsuit the boxer’s new managerial team filed recently at a New York court.
Pacquiao is seeking $13-million on five claims of relief and another $20-million in punitive damages.
The other night, lawyers Judd Burstein and Nicholas Khan arrived in the country to discuss with Pacquiao their legal moves in the upcoming trial.
Last June 2, Federal Judge Loretta Preska ordered a speedy trial on the same case scheduled on June 20.
Preska also ordered an expedited jury trial, giving the case two weeks to come up with a judgement.
Pacquiao is set to fly to New York on June 12. In an interview, Pacquiao expressed his surprise over the sudden arrival of his lawyers.
“Nagulat ako dumating sila dito. Kaya nga ngayon magkikita kami para mag-usap tungkol sa kaso namin,” said Pacquiao while on his way to the Mandarin Hotel where he was scheduled to meet Burstein and Khan.
Understandably, Pacquiao declined to elaborate any development of their case against Muhammad.
A source however said that Burstein and Khan wanted to make sure that Pacquiao will indeed proceed to New York on the 12th aside from briefing the boxer on what to expect once the trial begins.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao has once again proved that his personality, though this time in an inadvertent manner, has what it takes to unite a splintered group with a common goal of finding out the truth.
While the Pacquiao camp were engrossed in their meeting yesterday at the Mandarin coffee shop, American lawyer Sydney Hall and former Pacquiao manager Marty Elorde were also mapping out their next legal move to pin down Muhammad and business manager Rod Nazario along with son Boying Nazario in their own, separate case.
Sitting in another table was businessman Polding Correa making the most of his leisure time by drinking his favorite brew at the coffee shop.
Correa, who is also not at ease with the Nazario group, is regarded as Pacquiao’s first manager until the General Santos City bomber won the World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight crown.
Pacquiao has been hailed by several political leaders of this country as a modern day hero as his ring exploits has unified the country in this time of crisis.
