NEW YORK (June 1, 2005)—Federal judge Loretta Preska on Wednesday ordered for a speedy trial of the $33 million case filed by Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao against estranged promoter Murad Muhammad of M&M Promotions starting June 20 here.
The news was relayed by Manhattan-based Judd Burstein and boxing manager Keith Davidson of California, Pacquiao’s lawyers in the case, where the fighter is seeking $13 million on five claims of relief and $20 million in punitive damages.
“I am all-out in pursuing this case against Muhammad and I am doing this for all boxers who may have been cheated in the past, present or in the future,” said Pacquiao prior to the hearing.
The New York judge ordered for an expedited jury trial starting June 20, seeking to come up with a judgment in a whirlwind period of only two weeks.
“This is a big victory for the (Pacquiao) team,” said Los Angeles-based lawyer-boxing manager Nicholas Khan, after getting news from New York of the expedited jury trial. “A protracted and drawn-out court battle is the least thing we wanted,” added Khan.
Muhammad is Pacquiao’s estranged US promoter. He arranged Pacquiao’s seven fights in the US since 2001. In that period, Pacquiao has incurred arrears from the Internal Revenue Service, among others. Muhammad also allegedly stole millions from his only marquee fighter by failing to make a full disclosure of money deals as required by the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Law.
As a consolation, the judge granted Muhammad’s claim for an injunction against Pacquiao, who last fought but lost to Erik Morales last March 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. After the jury hands out a verdict two weeks from June 20, Pacquiao’s future will be more defined where a favorable verdict will let him loose from Muhammad’s clutches, among others.
Pacquiao, who is back in his native General Santos City, welcomed the news and hoped that justice will finally be served and this case will become an important precedent for a more clear-cut boxer-manager-promoter relationship especially to fellow boxers who often get abused by deceiving promoters and managers.
The Pacquiao Vs Muhammad case is numbered 05 CIV 4200.
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