MURAD GETS INJUNCTION, BUT IT MAY BE USELESS Attorneys for Manny Pacquiao, Judd Burstein and Keith Davidson agreed to the motion made by fired promoter Murad Muhammad’s attorney Maureen Nakly, to prevent Pacquiao from participating from any boxing bout without Muhammad’s M&M Sports as his promoter. However, the injunction may not last long because instead of debating the injunction in court, they will have a jury trial of the full merits in three weeks, June 20th. Expecting to finish the case in about two weeks, Pacquiao fans will learn their idol’s fate before the fourth of July, which ironically is Independence Day in the U.S. To read the entire piece, drop down below to “Read More.”
BLAMES MURAD FOR HIS TAX WOES!
Pacquiao claims that Murad not only breached their agreement but failed to withhold 30% of taxes, which caused Pacquiao to pay back taxes and interest, requesting a mighty sum of 33 million dollars. In return, Murad, denying most of the claims, countersued Pacquiao, trainer Freddie Roach, Shelly Finkel, Keith Davidson, and Nick Kahn, asking for at least 10 million dollars. The livelihoods of both parties are on the line in this high profile and high risk battle in the court.
MURAD, CLEAN AS A WHISTLE?
In Pacquiao’s tax claim, Murad states that he had no knowledge of the handling of Manny’s taxes, which was done by Rod Nazario. Therefore, he may argue that he had no idea whether or not Nazario stole or mishandled Manny’s tax money. He goes on and reiterates that although Manny is not only a world famous boxer, but he is one of the most well paid in the lighter weight classes in the world. Thus, whatever claims Manny makes against Murad, he fulfilled his side of the promotional agreement.
THE SLAVE CONTRACT
Assuming his unequivocal innocence, Muhammad’s countersuits is filed with charges that Manny breached many portions of the agreement. In the portions he cited in the counter claim, Manny has no right to sign or fight under any promoter under than M&M Sports. Also released, should Manny “breach or threaten to breach (the agreement), the Promoter (M&M) shall be entitled an injunction against such breach in any court.” Another term in the slave contract states that Manny cannot discuss “any information to this agreement” with non-employees or agents. So Murad has ground to sue just because Manny allowed Finkel to review the slave contract. If you thought that was ridiculous, Manny is obligated to pay all attorney fees in this case for Muhammad should he breach the contract. Last month, Pacquiao publicly fired and therefore breached a term in his contract with Muhammad. If Murad is somehow found innocent of all charged against him, then Pacquiao will suffer big time because in the slave contract, Pacquiao has committed every act stated. When Murad claimed he had an “air tight” agreement with Manny, maybe he was correct!
GET THE SUBPOENAS READY
Because of the quickness of the trial, all parties involve must make reservations to the Southern District of New York. Expect Rod Nazario, and his son Boying Nazario to definitely be witnesses in the case.
CASE COMES DOWN TO NUMBERS
Throughout the whole drama between Pacquiao and Muhammad, supporters of Murad advocate that Pacquiao owes his life to Murad. Had it not been for Murad’s existence and “miracle making,” Manny wouldn?€™t be the fighter he is now. All the infamous Murad filibusters, and I experienced one, won’t help this specific case when it comes to the bare numbers, which cannot be denied.
TIME TO OPEN ALL THE BOOKS MURAD!
Both Nazario and Murad will be required to show documents, contracts, check receipts, bank accounts, showing everything HBO paid them, they paid Manny, and what they paid each other. For example, for the Erik Morales fight, Murad must present the contract, with the exact purse, the check he gave Manny, a list of the possible advances, and most importantly the exact amount he earned for that event.
THE BIG BOYS READY TO RUMBLE
Some may question the quickness of the trial, favoring that Team Pacquiao will not be able to get the appropriate documents to bring Murad down. However, Manny’s got high profile, big name players in the boxing industry that have his back. Judd Burstein and Shelly Finkel have handled some of the biggest names in the sport, and are more than confident defeating Muhammad.
MEANWHILE, HALL IS WAITING ON DECK
Win or lose, Murad’s legal troubles won?€™t end because he still has a pending case against Sydney Hall. Ironically (or hypocritically), one of charges Murad made against Finkel, Davidson, and Kahn, which was that they interfered in the relationship between him and Pacquiao, is the exact charge Hall is making towards him. Hall had an exclusive agent/attorney contract with Pacquiao before Filipinos knew who Muhammad was.
SYDNEY IN PRETTY GOOD SPOT HERE!
It was Hall who not only negotiated Pacquiao?€™s title shot against Lehlo Ledwaba, but he offered Muhammad a chance to promote Manny. Possibly knowing that Hall never wanted to keep Murad long-term, Muhammad convinced Nazario to not speak to or trust Hall, eventually relieving him of his agent duties. With questionable checks received in four Pacquiao fights, Hall believes that Murad shortchanged him, Marty Elorde, and Pacquiao in the fights he was involved in.
ELORDE, THE MOST SCREWED OVER?
Along with Hall, former manager Marty Elorde was left behind in all the drama. He and Nazario signed a contract to be the handlers of Pacquiao’s career. Elorde, who was never accused in any wrong doing by any parties involved, undoubtedly was alienated by Muhammad and Nazario. The biggest accusation against Elorde was that he did not do anything but collect a paycheck after every fight. Doubting the fairness of his paychecks, the only time he did try to exercise his power, negotiating a promotional deal, he was criticized by Nazario, which lead to his alienation with Team Pacquiao.
MURAD TOOK CREDENTIAL STATUS FROM MANAGER
Instead of Elorde receiving his rightful credentials for many of Pacquiao’s big fights, which include the Juan Manuel Marquez fight, those credentials went to Rod’s son Boying Nazario, and Elorde was forced to sit in a section not worthy of a world champion?€™s lead manager. Imagine Shelly Finkel sitting in the upper deck section of the MGM Grand. Pacquiao blamed that Elorde never tried to speak to Manny about his concerns. Elorde, admitting he was only convinced to go to Pacquiao-Marquez fight, responded that he did nothing because that’s what Nazario wanted. In the end, Elorde, allowing himself to be pushed around, now is a plaintiff, along with Hall against Nazario and Muhammad.
QUICK ISLAND JABS
Gerry Penalosa’s comeback must progress quickly. Penalosa, considered the best all around fighter in recent Philippine history hopes to land a big fight against Rafael Marquez. The 5’3 southpaw’s only chance in victory is to fight Marquez within two years. MANNY STUFF: Should Manny win his case and the September HBO fight pushes through, it may be smart to fight a featherweight before facing Morales. Murad loyalist Ronnie Nathanielsz copied the legal definition of a preliminary injunction that “if the party who moves for it demonstrates a probability of success on merits and a possibility of irreparable injury or serious questions going to the merits and the balance of hardships tipping sharply in his favor.” Also in his article, Murad claimed that “a preliminary injunction is difficult to obtain,” but didn’t state that a injunction is mandatory in the promotional agreement between the two. According to the “Order to Show Cause” court document, Manny fighting in September and likely in December will immediately and irreparably harm M&M Sports. In other words, Murad can’t cash in on Manny’s big time purses. So who really needs who?
