If it’s an indication, Filipino Boxing hero Manny Pacquiao will commence working on his freedom from the clutches of controversial American promoter Murad Muhammad starting on June 12, the day the Philippines celebrate its 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 day, lawyers Judd Burstein and Keith Davidson arrived in the Philippines to discuss personally with Pacquiao their legal moves in the upcoming trial.
On June 3, 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, the day the country commemorates its day of independence.
Understandably, Pacquiao declined to elaborate any development of their case against Muhammad.
A source however said that the Burstein and Davidson 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.
The duo is also in town reportedly to gather more evidence and interview potential witnesses for their upcoming court battle.
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 coffee shop of the Mandarin Hotel in Makati City, American lawyer Sydney Hall and former Pacquiao manager Marty Elorde were, by coincidence, in another table 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.
Coincidentally again, sitting in another table was businessman Leopoldo Correa who was then 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.
