Paradigm bid to stall Pacman fight denied

MANILA, Philippines — Paradigm Sports Management reportedly hit a setback in its bid to prevent the upcoming fight between Manny Pacquiao and Errol Spence Jr. from taking place when a judge temporarily denied the former’s attempt.

ESPN.com reported yesterday that Judge Walter Schwarm “denied Paradigm Sports Management’s effort to obtain a preliminary injunction against Pacquiao that would have halted the Aug. 21 welterweight championship fight in Las Vegas.”

All is not lost on Paradigm though as the official ruling will reportedly be handed down Friday morning (today in Manila).

The case filed by Paradigm – a sports management agency that handles UFC star Conor McGregor – stems from its allegations that Pacquiao breached an earlier agreement with them regarding a fight with welterweight contender Mikey Garcia.

Paradigm chief Audie Attar is seeking monetary damages from Pacquiao, which include recovering a $3.3 million advance that he claims Pacquiao received when he signed with the agency in February 2020.

Attar claimed that Pacquiao gave them an impression that he has agreed to sign on to fight Garcia. Instead, the eight-division world champion ended up picking Spence.

Pacquiao has since downplayed Paradigm’s suit, saying it’s just a “frivolous effort” to interfere with the Spence fight.

In its lawsuit, Paradigm reportedly sought a portion of the proceeds of Pacquiao-Spence – if the fight pushes through.