Pacquiao leaves for US trial

Manny Pacquiao quietly left town Sunday night to fly to Los Angeles enroute to New York where he will attend the trial for his case against New Jersey promoter Murad Muhammad starting June 20.

Pacquiao was accompanied by Joe Ramos, a Filipino friend who lives in Los Angeles. They will stay in Los Angeles for a day then leave for New York with lawyers Keith Davidson and Nicholas Khan and trainer Freddie Roach.

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.

Pacquiao has accused Muhammad of violating full disclosure terms of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, short-changing him in arranging his fights in the US and breach of contract.

In Pacquiao’s fight against Erik Morales in Las Vegas last March, he earned a purse of $1.75 million but was not given a share of the pay-per-view proceeds and the Philippine TV rights fee.

Under usual circumstances, a main event fighter is entitled to 40 percent of the net pay-per-view earnings. That amount was estimated to be $4 million for the Pacquiao-Morales bout.

According to San Francisco lawyer Sydney Hall, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum withheld $2 million of the $4 million pay-per-view cut for Muhammad pending the outcome of Pacquiao’s case.

"It’s unconscionable and morally incorrect for a promoter representing a fighter to earn more from a fight than the fighter," said a long-time boxing observer. "A fighter risks his life in the ring, not his promoter."

Federal Judge Loretta Preska will preside in the trial in the Southern District of New York. A jury of eight to 12 private citizens will be assembled to decide the case. The opposing parties will get the opportunity to reject nominees for the jury.

Davidson said he expects a speedy resolution of the case.

If the case drags, Pacquiao may decide to stay in the US and start training for his next fight, possibly in September.

Davidson said in training for his next fight, Pacquiao will be whisked away to a secluded camp not accessible to fans. The idea is to avoid distractions and sharpen Pacquiao’s focus. An option is for Pacquiao to train at the Big Bear Camp in California.

Before leaving, Pacquiao said he was looking forward to his day in court and his future professional prospects.

"I am currently involved in major litigation with M&M Sports and Murad Muhammad," said Pacquiao. "A jury of the people is set to hear my case on June 20 in the US District Court of the Southern District of New York."

Neither Pacquiao nor Davidson would comment on the case because of Preska’s "gag order."

Davidson and Burstein were in Manila for an overnight visit last week to brief Pacquiao on the progress of the case.

Pacquiao’s trainer Buboy Fernandez said he was told by the two-time world champion he will be away for only two weeks.

Davidson described the suit as "a simple case," which is why Pacquiao’s lawyers expect a speedy resolution of the suit.

A source said Pacquiao’s lawyers requested for a speedy trial which was granted by Preska despite reported objections from Muhammad’s camp. Muhammad’s contention is Pacquiao is contractually bound to him for three more fights up to Aug. 31 next year.

Hall said if not for Preska’s decision to grant a speedy trial, it would’ve probably been scheduled for next year.

Muhammad secured a preliminary injunction but a source said it’s academic if a decision is made on the case within a month. Besides, a preliminary injunction would not prevent Pacquiao from fighting in the US only a portion of his purse may be held in escrow until the suit is resolved.