Manny Pacquiao Files Lawsuit Against Floyd Mayweather

After hinting it at late last week, Manny Pacquiao has followed through with his threat: he is suing Floyd Mayweather.

Actually, the lawsuit filed on Wednesday, which is “seeking compensatory and punitive damages for defamation,” named both Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and his father, along with Richard Schaefer and Oscar De La Hoya, according to FanHouse’s Lem Satterfield.

“We filed a defamation of character lawsuit in the federal court in Las Vegas, Nevada, against the Mayweathers, Oscar De La Hoya and Richard Schaefer based on their false and defamatory statements about Manny Pacquiao -- specifically their publicly stating that Pacquiao was taking steroids or other illegal steroids or other illegal drugs to enhance his performance, knowing that there is absolutely no basis for any such assertions,” said Petrocelli.
“We may be naming others as well, and may be adding others who have made comments since the lawsuit was filed. These guys have no right saying what they’re saying. It’s knowingly false, highly injurious,” said Petrocelli. “Manny has an absolutely unblemished reputation, and accomplished extraordinary achievements through hard work and preparation,” said Petrocelli, “ and he can’t sit by and allow people to accuse him of cheating because they can’t beat him in the ring.”

This is all stemming from rumors surround Pacquaio and steroids, rumors that intensified when he balked at Mayweather’s proposal to undergo drug testing before their previously agreed upon fight, which had been set for Mar. 13.

“There seems to be concern from numerous members of the sports industry -- from writers, to reporters, even other athletes, regarding why I am concerned with random blood testing,” said Pacquiao ... As I have stated before I have never used anabolic steroids nor do I even know what they look like. I view using steroids, synthetic growth hormone, or any other illegal or banned substance as cheating.
“I would never cheat this sport that I love. I would never cheat the legacies of the great champions I have been blessed to challenge. I would never do anything to cheat such great champions as Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, all of the Mexican warriors that I have been blessed to go into the ring and do battle with.”