Pacquiao verdict in question?
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 13 Jul 2024
Paradigm Sports Management lawyers opposing the California superior court judgment that dismissed the breach of contract case against former eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao are given up to Monday to file an objection but face a tall order since it appears the contract was invalid in the first place.
Paradigm CEO Audie Attar and Pacquiao came to terms on a contract in 2020, ceding the fighter’s exclusive worldwide rights of “all employment opportunities.” But when Pacquiao fought Yordenis Ugas in 2021, Paradigm was not in the equation. That led to Paradigm suing Pacquiao and receiving a jury decision awarding Attar’s group $5.1 million in damages. Before the decision was made in May last year, it was reported that Pacquiao’s lawyers offered a settlement but Paradigm declined. Apparently, Paradigm’s lawyers were batting for up to $10 million, including legal fees and interest.
Pacquiao’s lawyers initially were from the Kinsella, Holley, Isser, Kump and Steinsapir firm of Los Angeles but withdrew in 2022, leaving the fighter without legal representation for about eight months. Then, the California law firm of Haight, Brown and Bonesteel came on board a week before the first trial date. Bruce Cleeland took the lead for Pacquiao’s new legal team with assistance from Jason Aniel. Pacquiao took a knockdown when an Orange County jury ruled in Paradigm’s favor but his lawyers filed a motion for judgment, arguing that Paradigm wasn’t licensed as a manager to execute a contract. Last July 1, California superior court judge Walter Schwarm ruled that the contract was invalid so there could not be a breach.
“It was a long two years, an uphill battle,” said Aniel. “This decision was the second phase of trial while the first phase was the jury trial. Because the judge made a decision that the contract is void as illegal, the jury verdict will not be included in the final judgment. The jury decided the facts and where there was a breach of contract. Then, the judge decided whether that contract was illegal.”
The objection period is 15 days from July 1. If Paradigm objects, the judge has a few weeks to consider it but once the judgment is final, the decision may be appealed with the process usually taking up to two years. “Parties have a short period of time to file an objection and once that period passes, the judge will sign off the tentative judgment and submit a final judgment,” said Aniel. “Assuming a final judgment is appealed, Manny can fight freely in the US without any threat or interference from Paradigm. This was the turn from before when Paradigm threatened Manny and anyone he potentially worked with that they would seize any earnings from a fight.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Champion Oscar "El Pupilo" Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of March 14 Fight
Thu, 05 Mar 20262026 USA Boxing Men's Youth High Performance Team Announced
Thu, 05 Mar 20262026 USA Boxing Women’s Youth High Performance Team Announced
Thu, 05 Mar 2026Michael Linde rules Pangasinan chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Mar 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 MARCH 2026: Navarrete Stops Nunez; Parra Jnr Outpoints Pierce; Wins by Emiliano Vargas and Abel Ramos
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Mar 2026Team Philippines Crowned Champions of the 2026 Predator WPA Teams World Championship
Wed, 04 Mar 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev calls for radical reform of the Olympic Movement and equal rights for athletes
Wed, 04 Mar 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Boxing—A Spectacle of Masses and Millennial Stages
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Tue, 03 Mar 2026Golden Boy Promotions Vs Virgil Ortiz Jr going to arbitration?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 03 Mar 2026Boxlab Promotions Signs Undefeated Nicaraguan Knockout Artist Jordan “La Cobrita” Orozco
Tue, 03 Mar 2026STACKED MARCH 14 UNDERCARD SHOWCASES GOLDEN BOY’S NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS
Tue, 03 Mar 2026The Perfect Boxing Prospect 12-0 Marco Romero
Tue, 03 Mar 2026Quietly formidable boxers Kristian Prenga & Pyrce Taylor continue Their assault on the heavyweight division
Tue, 03 Mar 2026“Prince” Albert Pagara Flies to Perth for WBC Australasia Title Fight
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 02 Mar 2026Ryan Daye vows a dominant standout performance in WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth Thunderdome 53
Mon, 02 Mar 2026