On September 19, 2012, U.S. District Judge Larry Hicks ordered Floyd Mayweather to pay $113,518.50 in attorneys’ fees and costs as a result of refusing to show up for a deposition in a suit filed against him by fellow boxer Manny Pacquiao. The underlying action is one for defamation – alleging that Mayweather told multiple parties, including reporters, that Pacquiao uses performance enhancing drugs.
Mayweather insisted that he missed the deposition last fall because he had been too busy training. However, investigators “obtained photos of Mayweather at various nightclubs across the country showing him dancing, drinking, and spending significant amounts of money.” The court believed that his failure to appear was a calculated decision, noting “the award of attorneys’ fees in this matter is a sanction against Mayweather’s obviously intentional decision not to appear for his court ordered deposition. This was a direct discovery violation after the court had entered a very clear order that the deposition go forward.”
The spat is just the latest development between the two fighters. Seven-time world champion Pacquiao attempted to set up a match against Mayweather on numerous occasions. However, Mayweather has always refused Pacquiao’s challenge. Still, talk is in the air that the fighters will settle their dispute in the ring at some point during 2013.