World Boxing News has learned that boxing legend Manny Pacquiao offered to settle a lawsuit amicably before claiming a stunning court victory.
Pacquiao won a $5.1m claim by Paradigm Sports over his decision not to follow through with an agreement. The eight-weight world champion had interest in fighting Paradigm’s Conor McGregor in a 2021 blockbuster. As the event stalled, Pacquiao moved on to Errol Spence Jr. [eventually fought Yordenis Ugas] and worked with Premier Boxing Champions instead.
Paradigm Sports Management, headed by its CEO Audie Attar, launched a bid for compensation over Pacquiao’s u-turn over a deal. After a lengthy legal process, Superior Court of the State of California County Judge Walter Schwarm issued its final judgment, declaring the PSM-Pacquiao contract void.
“The court finds for Mr. Manny Pacquiao on the declaratory relief cause of action and declares the contract void due to illegality,” Schwarm stated.
The case is over, and Pacquiao will not have to compensate Paradigm for the McGregor event’s ultimate failure. As Paradigm deals with losing over five million dollars, Pacquiao’s President of MP Promotions, Sean Gibbons, made a startling revelation to WBN. He stated that Pacquiao was willing to settle out of court before dismissing the whole case.
Manny Pacquiao tried to settle PSM case amicably
“We tried to settle this case many times over three years,” Gibbons told World Boxing News exclusively. “So, we offered the guy – Audie Attar, $4 million, and we offered him the chance to come on board and promote two fights.
“We did many things to try and settle it amicably, but Manny Pacquiao knocked the F out of Judd Bernstein and Audie Attar,” he added.
Additionally, Pacquiao’s US attorney, Jason Aniel, made a statement about the decision by Judge Schwarm.
“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 [when it was announced that Paradigm won the case]. 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.”
Saving himself $4 million in compensation, Manny Pacquiao allowed the legal process to take its course and can move on with his career, knowing the matter is now behind him.
Pacquiao remains hopeful of landing a fight with Mario Barrios later this year in a professional comeback after three years out of action.
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.
