On Tuesday, May 5, boxing fans brought a class-action lawsuit against Manny Pacquiao and members of his promotion team for failing to disclose a shoulder injury prior to Saturday’s “Fight of the Century” against Floyd Mayweather.
The lawsuit was filed by two fans on behalf of “all persons who purchased tickets, purchased the pay per view event or who wagered money on the event.” The fans claim damages in the amount of $5 million stemming from the conspiracy surrounding Manny Pacquiao’s shoulder injury. The plaintiffs allege they were victimized by Pacquiao and his promotion company, Top Rank, Inc., as they promoted an “unfair” fight in which Pacquiao was injured from the beginning.
An hour after the highest grossing boxing match in history, one of Pacquiao’s promoters claimed he was injured. Pacquiao asked for a painkilling shot before the fight and was denied by the Nevada Athletic Commission. The NAC denied him because he failed to disclose the injury to the Commission when they asked him about it. Promoter Bob Arum claims that the request for painkillers were made five days before the fight and the NAC knew he was hurt. However, the Commission chairman disputes that claim.
Pacquiao’s promotion company, Top Rank, Inc., a co-defendant in the lawsuit, stated that the allegations in the suit are false and that there is documentary evidence to show the medications were fully disclosed. Top Rank also stated that Pacquiao was examined and cleared by doctors before the fight and that Pacquiao re-injured the shoulder during the match. Pacquiao will undergo surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and be out of action for at least 9 months.