MANNY PACQUIAO has fired back at Conor McGregor’s manager as he prepares to face a £2.3million lawsuit.
Audie Attar, founder of management company Paradigm Sports, is preparing to sue the Filipino legend over a potential breach of contract.
It comes after the 42-year-old opted to fight Errol Spence Jr next instead of original opponent Mikey Garcia.
Pacquaio was due to fight Garcia in September but the fight was reportedly scuppered by coronavirus restrictions.
However, The Athletic write how Attar believes the fight was compromised by other management companies.
Pacquiao and Attar signed a partnership in early 2020 with the understanding that the eight-division world champion would have a four-fight deal with DAZN.
One of those was also expected to be against McGregor before the Notorious suffered a bruising defeat against Dustin Poirier.
Paradigm are claiming Pacquiao has severely damaged their reputation but the boxer has labelled the lawsuit as ‘frivolous.’
He said in a statement: “Paradigm Sports’ lawsuit against me has no merit. I have an absolute right under the agreement with Paradigm to engage in the upcoming bout with Errol Spence.
“If this frivolous lawsuit continues, I will be proven correct in court.”
Paradigm lawyer Judd Burstein wrote: “In addition to the millions of dollars in straightforward economic loss that Paradigm stands to suffer, the damage to its reputation resulting from Pacquiao’s breaches is incalculable.
“Just when Paradigm was at the cusp of establishing itself as a major player in professional boxing, Pacquiao has left its reputation as a boxing representative in tatters.”
Pacquaio’s attorney Dale Kinsella added: “The complaint filed by Paradigm Sports in California state court on Friday is a frivolous effort to interfere with Manny Pacquiao’s upcoming mega fight, and it can and will fail for numerous reasons.
“Moreover, had Manny Pacquiao known that Paradigm Sports appears to have had no intention of fulfilling its contractual obligations, he never would have entered into any relationship with them.
“Should this matter actually proceed beyond Friday’s filing in a court of law, Mr Pacquiao will vigorously defend this action, assert his own claims against Paradigm Sports, and seek to recover his attorney’s fees as well.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
