By Rick Reeno

During Tuesday's New York press conference to announce Amir Khan vs. Paulie Malignaggi for May 15 in Madison Square Garden, trainer Freddie Roach spoke with a handful of reporters about Malignaggi's statements regarding Manny Pacquiao possibly using performance enhancing drugs. Roach told reporters Malignaggi could become a possible co-defendant in Pacquiao's ongoing defamation suit in Las Vegas.

Last December, Pacquiao filed a defamation suit in Nevada against Floyd Mayweather Jr., Floyd Mayweather Sr., Roger Mayweather, Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer. Pacquiao alleges the defendants made defamatory statements by accusing him of taking performance enhancing drugs.

When asked if he worried about getting sued, Malignaggi was pretty calm and said "I'm not worried about it." He views the lawsuit as a publicity stunt to get the media, and the fans, to side with Pacquiao against the Mayweathers. In his opinion, the ongoing lawsuit will disappear.

"I think that whole lawsuit is full of sh*t. I think it's all for show to get the press talking and get the fans thinking 'oh you see, he is innocent.' I didn't see anything get done and I've done as much talking as anyone and I didn't get sued. I dare them to sue me. There is no lawsuit. There is nothing going on here. They know they have nothing. They have no basis. Even with that lawsuit with the Mayweathers. Where did it go? Have you heard anything about it? I haven't heard anything about it," Malignaggi said.

"There is no basis for those lawsuits. It was just to get the people talking. It was just to get the public on their side....'oh, he's suing people, he's got to be innocent.' I talked twice as much after the lawsuit. I'm still waiting for the lawsuit. I'm not worried about it."

After the press conference was over, BoxingScene.com had a chance to speak with Roach about the possibility of Malignaggi becoming a co-defendant in the lawsuit. Roach backed away from his earlier statements. He told BoxingScene Amir Khan will handle the Malignaggi problem, in the ring, and not in court.

"Amir will take of things for me. I just get frustrated because - why can't they just admit these are good fighters. Guys going up a few weight classes is very, very common. I can name 25 guys who moved up for challenges in higher weight divisions," Roach told BoxingScene.com.