FILIPINO ring idol Manny Pacquiao is a “free man” again.
This came yesterday after Pacquiao and his American promoter Murad Muhammad settled out of court barely two weeks into the trial of the landmark $33-million suit filed by the Filipino last April.
“Everybody is happy,” said Pacquiao’s lead lawyer Judd Burstein. “Murad Muhammad settled with Manny and gave him back his freedom. He also settled for an undisclosed amount to cover court fees.”
Boxing experts called it a “technical knockout” win by Pacquiao over Muhammad, who “threw in the towel” before an eight-man jury could issue a verdict as directed by judge Loretta Preska of the Southern District Court of New York.
“This is a triumph for all of boxing,” said Pacquiao, who sued his former handler under the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act authored by Senator John McCain to protect boxers from unfair dealings by managers and promoters.
Aside from preventing Muhammad from getting away with the TV pay-per-view proceeds from Pacquiao’s losing fight with Eric Morales recently, the American’s so-called airtight promotional grip on Pacquiao which started in 2001 has been voided.
M&M Sports, which Muhammad heads, also agreed to dismiss the suit it filed against Pacquiao’s new management team which included Keith Davidson, Shelly Finkel, Nicholas Khan and trainer Freddie Roach.
Muhammad, however, saw the result under a different light.
“The case was settled amicably. I decided (there’s) no need to fight. Manny will go his way, we (Rod Nazario and Murad) will go ours. We will go on with our lives. We will find another Pacquiao or even better. I will continue to build another Pacquiao, continue to help Filipino boxers and all Asian boxers if they want my help. I wish Manny all the luck. I feel he should go on to be as successful as he can and represent the Philippines with honor. May God be with him,” he said.
But Pacquiao’s former manager Marty Elorde, who together with US lawyer Sydney Hall had lodged a separate case against Muhammad, said he is pursuing their case although he’s not sure of what will happen next.
“Parts of Manny’s case are similar to our case. Manny is still part of our case, unfortunately,” Elorde said in an interview yesterday.
Boxing website Boxingtalk, which first reported the out-of-court settlement, said that, as a result of the decision, Pacquiao is now a promotional free agent.
Finkel said they are now working for a September fight for Pacquiao against a soon-to-be-named opponent in the US.
“I am very happy that they reached a settlement. We helped in a small way by providing copies of contracts. We in the GAB are very happy for our champion Manny Pacquiao. We will always be here for him. Her Excellency, I am sure, is also happy with this development,” commented Games and Amusements Board chair Eric Buhain.
