LAS VEGAS, Nevada, September 19 – Boxer Floyd Mayweather has been ordered by a US judge to pay over $100,000 in legal costs after the American failed to answer questions from Manny Pacquiao’s lawyers in a defamation case.
American federal judge Larry Hicks awarded Pacquiao about $113,000 in legal fees for his lawyers and $774 in costs, because of “Mayweather’s obviously intentional decision not to appear for his court ordered deposition.”
Pacquiao filed a lawsuit three years ago in Las Vegas, saying that Mayweather defamed him by suggesting Pacquiao used performance-enhancing substances. The lawsuit seeks unspecific damages.
“Calling a professional athlete a cheater is the most serious charge one can make,” the lawsuit said. “Accusing an athlete of using performance-enhancing drugs – however baseless and lacking in evidence – is toxic.”
Filipino superstar Pacquiao and the undefeated Mayweather have never faced each other in the ring and the suit is viewed as one of the roadblocks to a much-anticipated mega fight.
