SPECIAL REPORT "DEFAMATION LAWSUIT FILED..."
BY STEPHEN S. JOHNSON

(IB-DECEMBER 30, 2009) This afternoon Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao had attorney Dan Petrocelli file a much anticipated slander and defamation suit in Las Vegas Federal Court. 

Pacquiao feels there has been a verbal attack levied against him intended to question the character of both he and his home country of the Philippines.  

Alleging Floyd Mayweather, Jr., his father Floyd, Sr. and GOLDEN BOY PRODUCTIONS CEO Richard Schaefer have conspired to destroy Pacquiao's "career, reputation, honor and legacy and jeopardize his ability to earn the highest levels of compensation", there was no monetary amount asked.

Attorney Petrocelli stated that his client could be out "tens of millions of dollars in reputation and lost business opportunities" because there has been planted the seed of doubt whether Pacquiao has ever used any Performance Enhancing Drugs. 

Petrocelli cited a radio interview where Mayweather, Jr. said Pacquiao's physique was different "cause we KNOW the Philippines got the best enhancing drugs". The suit cites numerous interviews by the defendants where they intimated Pacquiao's strength could have never come naturally.

GOLDEN BOY PRODUCTIONS CEO Schaefer said the suit "came as no surprise since they've been saying all week" they intended to do so.

Whether this development further clouds the negotiation process remains to be seen. Apparently Schaefer is unconcerned as he feels some progress in that area is being made right now. The idea of any pending litigation getting in the way of the proposed mega-fight seems minute, but if Pacquiao decides to be PATIENT and wait for his day in court things could his way real quickly.

In another development, Pacquiao conditioning expert Alex Ariza says the false allegations are a direct "slap in my face and all the athletes I have ever trained". Ariza says he has become increasingly upset with all the falsehoods being spread by GOLDEN BOY PRODUCTIONS CEO Richard Scheafer. Ariza says he is now concerned that all the turmoil will have a "trickle down effect" affecting all of his current clients.

The mere suggestion that Performance Enhancing Drugs have been the backbone of Pacquiao's place in history alludes to "cheating by his trainer and conditioning group", according to Ariza. "I have never given not one of my fighters anything illegal. All my fighters live with me when training. I am the one responsible for every supplement or pill they take. I give them all a blend of my own natural ingredients. I defy ANYONE to provide proof that I have ever been linked to any steroid provider. I have never been mentioned in the same breath as BALCO. I have NEVER had a conversation with ANYONE from BALCO and dare anyone who makes the accusation to prove that I have"!

WOW!

The "3 conspirators" have stirred up the hornets nest and there may be no way of "keeping the horses in the barn"! The arrogance of Richard Schaefer, the Mayweather's and GOLDEN BOY PRODUCTIONS is that they continue to worry ONLY about the negotiations for the March 13th date, and nothing else. 

Here's an idea...Manny Pacquiao orders TOP RANK and its representatives to refuse to negotiate any further with GOLDEN BOY PRODUCTIONS and their representatives until either BOTH Mayweather's, GOLDEN BOY PRODUCTION CEO Richard Schaefer and Oscar de la Hoya himself, issue public apologies to both Pacquiao, his team and Pacquiao's country, the Philippines. 

Retracting ANY AND ALL derogatory and slanderous statements made in the past regarding Manny Pacquiao and alleged PED use while further stipulating that should they NEVER AGAIN engage in such remarks they will be in violation of the agreement and subject to an additional amount of say...$50 million dollars!

If that doesn't appeal to the "3 conspirators", then Pacquiao should not even CONSIDER fighting Mayweather, Jr. until the courts have ruled.

Having Pacquiao win a court battle AFTER giving Mayweather, Jr. the opportunity to make some $40 million dollars in a fight against him is absolutely absurd! Either the "3 conspirators" agree to publicly brand themselves as liars and fork over X-amount of dollars, or there should be no fight.

There is NO WAY Manny Pacquiao should allow the "3 conspirators" to make a dime off of his back until there is some type of either public apology by the "3 conspirators" or monetary compensation leveled against them by the Federal Courts. Pacquiao should be PATIENT and either get the respect he deserves or fight any number of other challengers.

Whether the "3 conspirators" like it or not, Manny Pacquiao is the draw. Nobody really cares if Floyd Mayweather, Jr. ever steps in the ring again or not. He's not considered "The Peoples Champion". By most he is considered an arrogant, child-like, petty and unworthy of the title WORLD CHAMPION.

Until the courts have made a decision or the "3 conspirators" publicly apologize, let's see if the nick-name "MONEY MAYWEATHER" is accurate or not...