Pacfans petitioned vs. Mayweather

MANILA, Philippines -- Supporters of 7-time world champ Manny Pacquiao launched an online petition urging US communications giant AT&T and other sponsors to cut endorsement relationships with Floyd Mayweather Jr. for engaging the Filipino boxer into a smear campaign.

The petition initiated by BleacherReport.com contributor Kevin Riley said they launched the campaign in response to the Mayweather camp’s “unfounded, unwarranted and unjustified accusations” of performance enhancement drug (PED) use against Pacquiao.

“For reasons unbeknownst to us, Mr. Mayweather, his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., his adviser, Leonard Ellerbe and his promoter, Golden Boy Promotions have decided to engage in a smear campaign against Mr. Pacquiao. Their efforts have included press releases, interviews and internet blogs. And their unfounded, unwarranted and unjustified accusations have all centered around the illegal use of steroids, human growth hormones & other chemicals,” the group said in the petition.

The group sided with Pacquiao, citing that the Filipino champ has never before been accused of using PEDs and has passed every drug test.

The group added that the alleged campaign by Mayweather’s camp has damaged Pacquiao’s “pristine image”.

“He (Pacquiao) will no longer be able to enjoy the fruits of his hard-earned image thanks to Mr. Mayweather and his associates,” it said.

As of posting time, 1,964 supporters have signed the online petition.

Negotiations for a March 13 mega-buck clash between Pacquiao and Mayweather came to a stand still when the camp of the American boxer demanded an Olympic-style drug tests, which insinuated that the Filipino was using PEDs.

The demand prompted Pacquiao’s camp to file a defamation suit against the Mayweathers.

Representatives of both camps will meet on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) in the office of retired federal judge Daniel Weinstein to try to save the March 13 bout.

The Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is the biggest boxing match in years with both fighters expected to get up to $40 million in revenues.

“We believe there is no place in the world of sport, nor the world in general for this type of behavior. And we earnestly hope that you will also find there is no place for this type of behavior in your upstanding organization as well,” the petition told the corporate sponsors.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com