By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Manny Pacquiao and promoter Murad Muhammad have settled their legal battle out of court resulting in the dropping of their suits and counter-suits in what Murad deemed “an amicable settlement.”
Under the settlement, Pacquiao is now free from the promotional contract with Murad Muhammad under which Murad had the right to promote two more fights. Viva Sports/Manila Standard today learned that Murad had agreed to pay part of the legal expenses of Pacquiao but no figures were released. Murad conceded that the case took a lot out of both him and Pacquiao. Murad added that his distingushed lawyer, the celebrated Julian Friedman said he "respected" his decision for an out-of-court settlement.
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today shortly after the settlement was agreed upon before Judge Loretta Preska of the Southern District of New York thereby preventing the case from being decided by the jury, Murad said “the case was settled amicably. I decided there was no need of fighting. Manny will go his way, we (Rod Nazario and Murad) will go ours. I wish Pacquiao all the luck. I feel he should go on to be as successful as he can and represent the Philippines with honor. May God be with him.”
Murad said “we will go on with our fights. We will continue to build another fighter as big or even bigger than Manny and continue to help Filipino boxers and all Asian boxers if they want our help.”
Murad who won the purse bid for the WBC mandatory title defense of South Korea’s Injin Chi against No. 1 contender Rocky Juarez is co-promoter with Main Events of the title fight which will be held in Chicago on August 20. Shelly Finkel is the manager of Juarez while Murad has a promotional contract with Injin Chi and his manager Kusung Lee under which Chi will receive a purse of $300,000 tax free for the Juarez fight.
When contacted by overseas telephone for a reaction to the settlement and his plans for a possible fight for Pacquiao in September, Pacquiao’s manager Shelly Finkel said “Hi Ron. I’d rather not talk to you” and hung up. Judge Preska is reported to have admonished both sides not to make any derogatory statements
against each other.
Pacquiao's lead lawyer Judd Burstein was quoted as saying "everybody is happy, Murad Muhammad settled with Manny and gave him back his freedom."
Pacquiao, in a lengthy overseas telephone interview with Viva Sports shortly after arriving in Los Angeles from New York said he would leave for Manila on Sunday. He disclosed plans for a tune-up fight on an HBO card in September against a less formidable opponent than the tough Mexicans he has fought so far. Pacquiao said that because of all the problems he had "wanted at times to give up boxing" but decided instead to fight for his rights. He said now that its all over he was once again fired up and wanted
"to start training right away."
Pacquiao alleged they had evidence of a series of wrongdoings and levelled several accusations against both Murad and business manager Rod Nazario. However, because of the admonition of Judge Preska Manila Standard Today will not detail the allegations
until authorized by Judge Preska.
Murad along with Nazario had chartered Pacquiao's career from a $10,000 fighter to a recognized star who received $1.75 for his last fight against Erik "El Terrible" Morales at the MGM Grand Garden Arena last March 19 but somewhere along the way Pacquiao
apparently lost faith in both men and accused them of stealing his money. When his management contract with Marty Elorde expired, Pacquiao declined a P10 million offer to re-sign and instead signed with the management team of Finkel and lawyers Keith Davidson and Nicholas Kahn for a signing bonus of $50,000 according to Pacquiao himself.
With 2003 "Trainer of the Year" Freddie Roach in his corner Pacquiao scored a sensational stoppage over legendary Mexican featherweight Marco Antonio Barrera on November 15, 2003 in Texas to earn the Ring Magazine featherweight championship belt which was presented to him in a ceremony at Malacanang in the presence of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
The flamboyant ring warrior remains the country's biggest sports hero despite his loss to Morales. He recently relinquished the Ring Magazine featherweight championship and said he was looking forward to being crowned super featherweight champion in the near future. With his new found freedom Pacquiao's handlers are expected to seek a rematch with Morales or Barrera in what could well be a huge pay-per-view showdown.