Fans Sue Manny Pacquiao over Non Disclosure of Injury

Fans slam athletes who sit with injuries. Now two fight fans sue Manny Pacquiao for performing with an injury.

The small group has filed a class-action lawsuit against the Filipino fighter for not disclosing his torn rotator cuff to the Nevada State Athletic Commission prior to his bout with Floyd Mayweather. Pacquiao pursued a seemingly sound strategy of cornering the elusive Mayweather in their match Saturday night. But Pac Man uncharacteristically, save for exciting flurries in the fourth and sixth rounds, just couldn’t pull the trigger.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission denied Pacquiao’s petition for a shot prior to the fight. He cited the injury in excusing his listless performance and has since announced a surgery that should keep him out of the ring for nine months or more.

“Defendants prior to and at the time the plaintiffs and the class decided to purchase tickets; purchase pay per view showings or wagered on the event the defendants knew and had full knowledge and information that defendant Pacquiao had been seriously injured and was suffering from a torn rotator cuff,” the suit charges. “Defendants further know that such injury would severely affect his performance.”

Athletes regularly avoid announcing injuries to not give opponents an advantage. Mayweather, and others, criticized Pacquiao’s postfight disclosure as excuse making. Others saw it as a gambit to win a return engagement. But instead of winning another lucrative payday—the pugilistic pair each cleared $100 million for the fight—the declaration may cost him millions.

The class-action suit seeks more than $5 million in damages.