Audie Attar of Paradigm Sports has sent a firm legal warning to anyone trying to involve themselves in the business dealings of eight division champion Manny Pacquiao.
Pacquiao has been inactive since July 2019, when he won a twelve round decision over Keith Thurman to capture the WBA welterweight title.
A few days ago, the sanctioning body – due to his inactivity – removed Pacquiao from his world title position and made him a “champion in recess.”
For the last few months, there had been discussion of a potential boxing match between Pacquiao and UFC superstar Conor McGregor.
But then McGregor was knocked out in two rounds by Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 – an outcome which significantly hurt the possibility of Pacquiao-McGregor taking place in 2021.
In the aftermath of that loss, Manny Pacquiao Promotions President, Sean Gibbons, advised The Sun that a fight with McGregor was not a lucrative option at the moment.
“I think the demand for the fight is not there presently,” Gibbons said.
McGregor is also represented by Paradigm Sports.
The current discussion has been a potential fight between Pacquiao and WBC interim-lightweight champion Ryan Garcia.
Attar, while not naming anyone specifically, is now targeting some of the rumors and statements that have been linked to the Pacquiao camp in the last few days.
“The boxing industry has a history of shady characters being involved. These individuals introduce confusion and spread false rumors solely for their own interests. Unfortunately, this only ends up hurting the fighters,” expressed a company statement posted by Attar.
“It has come to our attention that some of these individuals are once again spreading false and inaccurate rumors that are self-serving without the authority of Senator Pacquiao or Paradigm Sports.
“Senator Pacquiao engaged Paradigm Sports as his exclusive representatives last year because he wants to close out the final chapters of his historic boxing career in a meaningful way.
“No one outside of Paradigm Sports is involved in any way with the management of Senator Pacquiao’s boxing career at this time. Anyone falsely representing themselves as Senator Pacquiao’s manager or representative as it relates to his remaining fight career may face legal repercussions.
“Paradigm Sports has a reputation in the combat sports industry for operating with integrity, professionalism, and transparency fighting for our clients, and we look forward to producing an incredible event with Senator Pacquiao in early 2021.
“I am working closely with Senator Pacquiao and his legal team in Manila on plans for his next fight. We will be sharing the details of this event in the coming weeks.”