Manny Pacquiao has proven his case after being branded ‘disgraceful’ for walking away from a deal with Paradigm Sports.
Pacquiao moved on from a stalled fight with Conor McGregor with Paradigm in 2021 to face Errol Spence Jr. under the Premier Boxing Champions banner instead. The decision was met with a legal battle from McGregor’s representatives.
They claimed Pacquiao was still tied to a contract and unable to compete against Spence. Paradigm and CEO Audie Attar even attempted to call off the fight. It didn’t work, though, as Spence’s injury prevented it from going ahead.
‘Pac-Man’ ended up trading punches with Yordenis Ugas that summer and lost in a shock result. However, Paradigm’s challenge to the event taking place put any chances of Pacquiao returning in a professional capacity out of commission on the back of a retirement decision.
Three years later, Pacquiao found redemption in a United States courtroom, and Paradigm’s contract was declared void once and for all.
Superior Court of the State of California County of Orange Central Justice Center Judge Walter Schwarm signed a final ruling that stated, “The court finds for Mr. Pacquiao on the declaratory relief cause of action and declares the contract void due to illegality.”
Pacquiao’s US attorney, Jason Aniel, released a statement of the judge’s decision.
Manny Pacquiao wrongly branded ‘disgraceful’
“We are pleased that the court made its final decision on the legal issues in Mr. Pacquiao’s favor,” Aniel pointed out. “After hearing Paradigm Sports Management’s objections to the tentative decision, the court decided the contract that Paradigm sought to enforce Mr Pacquiao was illegal as Paradigm was not properly licensed.
“This decision negates the jury’s findings back in May of 2023. We thank the court’s time and effort in this matter. Mr. Pacquiao thanks his fans for their patience while the court fully resolved all the legal issues,” he added.
Despite his name being dragged through the mud, Pacquiao can continue with future fight plans, knowing he did nothing wrong. That’s despite Paradigm’s statement wrongly accusing the eight-weight world champion of ‘disgraceful behavior’ previously.
Representing lawyer Judd Bernstein had roasted Pacquiao when an initial judgment went in Paradigm’s favor.
“It’s always nice to have justice done. Manny Pacquiao’s behavior, in this case, was disgraceful,” said Bernstein. “As I told the jury, he’s an extraordinary athlete and has an extraordinary story. However, that doesn’t mean he gets a pass on being a decent human being. He signed the contract. He didn’t live up to it.
“But he took money likely because he desperately needed it. He was dishonest throughout the process. But he was hiding relevant facts and thinking that he’s had to pay the price for it, which is fair.”
The victory is yet another knockout for one of boxing’s best fighters of recent times.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
