PACQUIAO SUPPORTERS WANT AT&T TO STOP MAYWEATHER
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 05 Jan 2010
Supporters of pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao are circulating an online petition asking AT&T Inc. and other prospective sponsors to "discontinue and forgo all endorsement relationships" with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The petition initiated by Kevin Riley a contributor to the website Bleacher Report followed what Riley said was an all-out smear campaign against the Filipino boxing champion and the Philippines.
AT&T recently cancelled its sponsorship deal with golfing great Tiger Woods following a scandal involving his infidelity.
The petition which is addressed to Randall L. Stephenson, Chairman and CEO, AT&T Inc., vehemently objected to the accusations made by Mayweather, his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr and top executives of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya and Richard Schaefer and Mayweather promotions all of whom face a lawsuit filed by crack attorney Daniel Petrocelli on behalf of the Filipino boxing icon.
The petition refers to the accusations of cheating leveled against Pacquiao by the use of performance-enhancing drugs while also accusing the Philippines of being the producers of the best performance enhancing drugs.
Pacquiao's response to these claims:
"I maintain and assure everyone that I have not used any form or kind of steroids and that my way to the top is a result of hard work, hard work, hard work and a lot of blood spilled from my past battles in the ring, not outside of it. I have no idea what steroids look like and my fear in God has kept me safe and victorious through all these years."
Over 1,500 individuals had already signed the online petition to the AT&T CEO which states, . “We are writing to express the deep concerns we have with one of your representatives, Floyd Mayweather Jr. Mr. Mayweather as you know is a professional boxer. He has a tentatively scheduled bout on March 13th, 2010 with Manny Pacquiao, another professional boxer from the Philippines.
For reasons unbeknownst to us, Mr. Mayweather, his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., his adviser, Leonard Ellerbe and his promoter, Golden Boy Promotions have decided to engage in a smear campaign against Mr. Pacquiao. Their efforts have included press releases, interviews and internet blogs. And their unfounded, unwarranted and unjustified accusations have all centered around the illegal use of steroids, human growth hormones & other chemicals.
Mr. Pacquiao has never before been accused of using the aforementioned products and he has passed every drug test that he has ever been administered throughout the course of his career. Yet this did not stop Mr. Mayweather and his associates from engaging in cowardly, malicious and defaming tactics against him.
Up until this point, Mr. Pacquiao has enjoyed the fruits of a pristine image everywhere he has gone throughout the Philippines and the world. An image which he established through hard work and dedication to his God, his Country and his fans. He will no longer be able to enjoy the fruits of his hard-earned image thanks to Mr. Mayweather and his associates.
These claims which bring into question Mr. Pacquiao's character, honesty and integrity become even more damaging when you take into account the fact he is currently seeking public office in his native Philippines.
In response to their actions, Mr. Pacquiao has decided to immediately file a defamation suit against Mr. Mayweather and his associates.
And in response to those same actions, we are now formally asking you to discontinue and forgo all endorsement relationships, and future endorsement relationships, with Mr. Mayweather and his associates.
We believe there is no place in the world of sport, nor the world in general for this type of behavior. And we earnestly hope that you will also find there is no place for this type of behavior in your upstanding organization as well. ”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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