Manny’s lawyer denies injunction yarn

Los Angeles lawyer Keith Davidson said yesterday no case has been filed preventing two-time world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao from fighting for any promoter other than Murad Muhammad.

"Murad has unequivocally not filed an injunction against Manny in any way, shape or form," said Davidson in an e-mail to The STAR. "I read reports in the Philippine media that quoted an unknown source close to Murad. These reports that Murad had applied for and been issued an injunction against Mr. Pacquiao are patently false. Those reports are 100 percent inaccurate."

Davidson confirmed the filing of a law suit, in Pacquiao’s behalf, in the Southern District of New York against Muhammad, a New Jersey promoter, and his wholly-owned corporation, M&M Sports, Inc. The case is numbered 05 CIV 4200 and was assigned to federal judge Loretta Preska, a 56-year-old Fordham and New York University law graduate who was nominated by President Bush to succeed Robert Ward in the US District Court in 1992.

The Southern District of New York has been described as "a busy court (that) handles civil and criminal cases from eight metropolitan New York counties."

Manhattan litigator Judd Burstein and Davidson are Pacquiao’s lawyers in the case where the fighter is seeking $13 million on five claims of relief and $20 million in punitive damages.

Muhammad is Pacquiao’s estranged US promoter. He arranged Pacquiao’s seven fights in the US since 2001.

"Both defendants have been served," continued Davidson. "Neither defendant has answered the complaint as of yet. My co-counsel, Judd Burstein, and I are very confident in the strength of Manny’s case. Should the defendants choose to seek any form of preliminary injunction in this matter, we are more than prepared to respond swiftly and effectively in defeating it."

Although trainer Freddie Roach recently mentioned in a boxing website that International Boxing Federation superfeatherweight champion Robbie Peden is next in line for Pacquiao, Davidson said no opponent has been signed up yet.

"As for Manny’s upcoming fights, nothing has been scheduled," said Davidson. "However, fans from around the world should celebrate that every major player in the sport has a heightened focus on Manny Pacquiao. I am glad to work for Mr. Pacquiao. All of us at Team Pacquiao believe in Manny. We believe in his achievements, his skill, his aptitude to become even greater but most of all, we believe in Manny’s character."

Another lawyer Sydney Hall of San Francisco said the other day he is awaiting developments on his own case filed against Muhammad, Pacquiao’s business manager Rod Nazario and his son Roberto and the company Philippine Boxing Ltd., a limited liability company. The case was filed in the superior court of San Mateo county in Redwood City near San Francisco.

"They are planning something, I can tell," wrote Hall, referring to the defendants. "I believe (Muhammad’s lawyer) Lamont Jones was in San Francisco this week because he called and the call was a local number. I also think they will try to move the court in my case to federal court which will give them more time to answer the complaint."

Hall is seeking $180,000 for special damages and $500,000 in punitive damages.

Regarding the injunction rumor, Hall dismissed it as idle talk.

"It seems to be worthless," said Hall. "If and when they file for an injunction, they must notify Manny. They also have to file it in either my case or the case in New York."

Meanwhile, Peden welcomed the chance of fighting Pacquiao.

"From what I know, Pacquiao might be my mandatory (challenger)," said Peden, quoted by Darren Nichols of boxingtalk.net. "If we can all reach a deal, then that’s a fight I’d love to make. I’ve been looking for that type of fight. It absolutely would be (explosive). I’ve been knocking on the door long enough for these type of fights. I’ve worked for nine years to get this belt and I know that with a big risk comes big money. I want the big money so I’ll take a big risk and fight anybody."

Peden’s promotions group Goosen-Tutor had no comment on a possible fight against Pacquiao but said an announcement would be made soon.

"I know I can fight anywhere between 130 to 140 pounds," said Peden. "As long as my trainer and Dan Goosen feel the same way, then I will take on any of the fighters in that division but (I) really want to fight Pacquiao. All the guys he has fought recently are on the top of the pound-for-pound lists and I know he can’t beat me."