Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has emerged victorious in his legal dispute with Paradigm Sports Management, the sports marketing group co-founded by UFC superstar Conor McGregor.
According to a recent ruling from the California Superior Court, Judge Walter Schwarm has declared the original contract between Pacquiao and Paradigm Sports as “void” due to the company’s lack of proper licensing in the state of California. This decision effectively overturns a previous $5.1 million judgment that had been awarded to Paradigm Sports.
The dispute stemmed from a 2020 lawsuit filed by Paradigm Sports, which claimed that Pacquiao owed the firm $1.8 million in damages and $3.3 million in advanced payments that the boxer had received. However, Pacquiao’s legal team argued that the contract was illegal, as Paradigm Sports was not properly licensed to operate as a manager in California.
In his tentative decision, Judge Schwarm sided with Pacquiao, stating, “The court finds for Mr. Pacquiao on the Declaratory Relief cause of action and declares the Contract void due to illegality.”
Pacquiao’s lawyer, Jason Aniel, praised the court’s ruling, stating, “Although the judgment is not presently final, we are pleased that the Court made its tentative decision on the legal issues in Mr. Pacquiao’s favor. The Court decided the contract that Paradigm Sports Management sought to enforce against Mr. Pacquiao was illegal as Paradigm was not properly licensed.”
While Paradigm Sports is planning to appeal the decision, this latest development is a significant victory for Pacquiao, who has been preparing for an upcoming exhibition match. The Filipino boxing icon can now focus on his next competitive endeavor without the burden of the legal dispute hanging over him.
