MANILA, Philippines (1st Update) – Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao has sued Floyd Mayweather, Jr., his father, and some members of the American’s camp ahead of their planned March 13 bout for alleging that he was taking performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

Pacquiao filed a defamation complaint through lawyer Daniel Petrocelli in a federal court in Las Vegas, Nevada on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila). Petrocelli is best known for winning a death civil lawsuit against O.J. Simpson in 1997, noted The Grand Rapids Press.

“Calling a professional athlete a cheater is the most serious charge one can make and in today's world, accusing an athlete of using performance-enhancing drugs - however baseless and lacking in evidence - is toxic,” the lawsuit said as reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The lawsuit named Mayweather, his father, Floyd Sr., and uncle Roger Mayweather as defendants. It asked for damages in excess of US$75,000.

Golden Boy Promotions’ Oscar de la Hoya and Richard Schaefer were also named as having “stated publicly that Pacquiao has used and is using performance-enhancing drugs, including steroids.”

According to the lawsuit, Mayweather told The Guardian that he had “great doubt as to the level of fairness I would be facing in the ring that night." He also remarked over the radio in October, “'cause we know the Philippines got the best enhancing drugs.”

The suit added: “The truth did not stop Mayweather and the others… That is because they are motivated by ill will, spite, malice, revenge and envy.”

Pacquiao, in addition, issued his “last official statement” on Team Mayweather’s doping allegations: “As I have stated before I have never used anabolic steroids nor do I even know what they look like… I view using steroids, synthetic growth hormone, or any other illegal or banned substance as cheating.”

It remains to be seen how the defamation suit will affect negotiations for the Pacquiao-Mayweather super fight, which is already in limbo because of the drug testing issue.

Reputation

Petrocelli told Reuters that Pacquiao “simply could not allow these false, reckless and malicious statements to go unanswered.”

He also explained that the $75,000 is just the minimum amount needed in order to sue in court.

“The damages in this case for Pacquiao's reputation are in the tens of millions of dollars, not including punitive damages,” added the lawyer. “He had no choice but to file this law suit to protect his good name and reputation which has been earned after years and years of hard work.”

Petrocelli also remarked that there is no basis for the doping allegations against Pacquiao.

“Whether or not the fight goes forward, whoever he fights next, he's not going to sit by and let people publicly accuse him of being a cheater.”

'Unsalvageable now'

Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank Promotions, told The Press that the super fight is “not salvageable now.”

He also told The Los Angeles Times that he does not see the bout happening now. “Positions are hardening ... Manny's fit to be tied. He's very angry.”

But he seemed to say that there was still hope when he said, “It might be best to visit this fight later in 2010.”

Arum is reportedly eyeing to negotiate a clash with another ward, World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight champion Yuri Foreman.

It was earlier reported that the Top Rank big boss was ready to negotiate with former International Boxing Federation (IBF) light welterweight champion Paul “Paulie” Malignaggi.

Not over until it’s over

Meanwhile, Mayweather’s adviser, Leonard Ellerbe, refused to jump to conclusions.

“It ain't over 'til it's over,” Ellerbe told The Press.

“The clock is ticking… It'll get resolved, one way or another. Either he [Pacquiao] is going to step up to the plate or he isn't,” he added.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) stepped into the drug testing hullaballoo, ordering Pacquiao and Mayweather to submit to urine tests within 48 hours or else they would face possible fines or suspension.

Pacquiao submitted himself to a urine test Wednesday in General Santos City. He said he is confident that he will past the test.

The Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is slated to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The weight limit is set at 147 lbs. while the purse split is 50-50. Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title would be at stake. – With reports from Agence France-Presse, Los Angeles Times, Reuters, David Mayo of The Grand Rapids Press, and Anne Santos, ABS-CBN News SOKSARGEN