Paradigm suffers another knockdown

MANILA, Philippines — The court case involving Paradigm Sports Management and Manny Pacquiao may still take at least two more years before finally coming to a conclusion but from all indications, the former eight-division world boxing champion will score a knockout.

Paradigm was first to deck Pacquiao when an Orange County jury ruled against the fighter who was ordered to pay $5.1 million in damages. The suit stemmed from an agreement between Paradigm and Pacquiao in 2020 ceding the ring legend’s exclusive worldwide rights of “all employment opportunities.” Pacquiao, however, battled Yordenis Ugas in a WBA welterweight title fight in Las Vegas in 2021 without Paradigm’s participation, leading to the case. Paradigm was unable to book a fight for Pacquiao during their “engagement,” causing the estrangement. After the Orange County jury rendered its decision, Pacquiao’s lawyers filed a motion for judgment, arguing that Paradigm wasn’t licensed to execute a contract as manager in the first place. Last July 1, California Superior Court judge Walter Schwarm upheld the contention that the contract was invalid so there couldn’t be a breach. It was a tentative decision.

Paradigm filed objections to the Superior Court’s tentative decision last July 16. In a final judgment submitted last Aug. 12, Schwarm reaffirmed the position that Paradigm’s contract is void. “The issue is whether the contracts entered into between Mr. Pacquiao and Paradigm are illegal,” wrote Schwarm. “The court finds for Mr. Pacquiao on the Declaratory Relief cause of action and declares the contract void due to illegality.” That brought a second knockdown on Paradigm.

Paradigm’s last recourse is to file a case with the Court of Appeals in California because at the Superior Court level, it’s done. If the appeal is made, it could take at least two years to adjudicate. Once that’s done, it will likely be all over. A third knockdown will mean an automatic knockout. “In the meantime, they can’t interfere with any of Manny’s dealings like they did before,” said lawyer Jason Aniel of the California law firm Haight, Brown and Bonesteel.