The lawsuits filed by boxing promoters Bob Arum of Top Rank Promotions (TR) and Oscar de la Hoya of Golden Boy Promotioins (GBP) could effectively end the Mayweather-Pacquiao rivalry and signal the death knell for boxing.
Arum and De la Hoya’s lawsuits stemmed from alleged schemes from Floyd Mayweather’s adviser Al Haymon. He is accused of promoting boxing fights with his Premiere Boxing Championship (PBC) show on free TV, in violation of antitrust laws and the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act. Top Rank filed a similar suit on Wednesday, seeking $100 million and an injunction to prevent future PBC cards while De la Hoya filed his case last May 6, seeking $300 million in damages. De la Hoya lauded Arum for his effort in protecting the fighters not only in their stables but all across the sport. “I applaud Bob Arum and Top Rank Boxing for stepping up on behalf of fighters not only in their own stable, but all across the sport, De la Hoya said. “Those like Bob and myself who have spent the bulk of their lives around boxing understand that the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act is a crucial piece of legislation that serves to protect boxers and enhance the sport. Golden Boy Promotions will continue to push forward with our own lawsuit to ensure our wonderful sport continues to grow in a competitive, just manner,” he added. In his lawsuit, Arum’s lawyer said that Haymon’s actions in relation to PBC could cripple boxing competition, which could lead to irreversible harm to industry players. ?If left unabated, this conspiracy threatens to fatally cripple competition in [boxing], thereby causing substantial and irreversible harm to boxers, legitimate promoters, and consumers,? Top Rank attorney Daniel Petrocelli wrote in the lawsuit. Haymon’s lawyers issues these statements in part with regards to the Arum lawsuit. “The lawsuit filed today by Bob Arum and Top Rank is entirely without merit and is a cynical attempt by boxing’s old guard to use the courts to undermine the accessibility, credibility and exposure of boxing that the sport so desperately needs.” View full statement on Fighthype here. With two lawsuits already filed in court, the window for a rematch between Mayweather and Pacquiao has become narrower as legal issues take months or even years to resolve. Haymon is reportedly very close to Mayweather aside from being his adviser and manager. As adviser, Haymon can influence Mayweather’s decision with regards to the anticipated rematch against Pacquiao, who is under contract with Top Rank.
