Manny Pacquiao gets the chance to ruffle Floyd Mayweather's feathers

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao gets the chance to ruffle Floyd Mayweather's feathers on Friday (Saturday in Manila) in Las Vegas when he takes his deposition in connection with the defamation case he filed against the outspoken American boxer. A deposition is a sworn testimony that is taken before a trial and Pacquiao will be joined by his American lawyers during the legal proceeding, according to the Filipino fighter's legal adviser Franklin Gacal. The case was filed last year, owing to Mayweather's statements charging that Pacquiao had used performance-enhancing drugs whenever he trained for a fight. Also part of the lawsuit were Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) president and owner Oscar De La Hoya and GBP chief executive officer Richard Schaefer and the case was dropped against them after a public apology was issued. Lending a hand to Pacquiao's case against Mayweather are lawyers David Marosso and Daniel Petrocelli. "The case against Mayweather is very strong," Petrocelli told the Bulletin. There is bad blood between Pacquiao and Mayweather and their animosity towards each other reached fever-pitch a couple of weeks ago when efforts to stage a fight between them fell apart for the third time, owing to a disagreement on revenue-sharing. Mayweather has signed to face Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico on May 5 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, while Pacquiao has agreed to fight Tim Bradley on June 9 also at the MGM Grand. It is uncertain whether another round of talks would be done assuming they win their coming fights. Pacquiao, 33, leaves for the US Thursday night and is expected to fly back to Manila immediately after the deposition. Meanwhile, Filipino boxing idol and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel "Manny"' Pacquiao celebrated Valentine's Day with wife Jinkee and family members by holding a Bible study session at his exclusive resort in Barangay Tuka, Sarangani Province. Pacquiao spent a two-day vacation in his newly developed white beach resort in Barangay Tuka in Kiamba town where he was joined by relatives, friends, and some movie personalities, including Dennis Padilla, Long Mejia, Paulo Contes, Benjie Paras, Onyok Velasco and Blakdyak. Pastors Sam Martinez and Boy Buan presided over the Bible study and sharing activities for two days where Pacquiao and Jinkee even led the singing of Christian gospel songs. The Filipino boxing idol has been undergoing reformation for the past months and become active in holding Bible study sessions. As a gesture that he is deemed serious in his reformation process, Pacquiao even sold his shares in casino and nightclub businesses in Manila and disposed of all his fighting cocks on his breeding farm in Malungon, Sarangani Province, "I'm satisfied and happy now with my new lifestyle where I can spend enough time for my family without my usual activities hanging out with friends in bars and casinos," Pacquaio said. Manny gave Jinkee roses last Tuesday,Valentines Day, shortly before the Bible study began, which delved on the biblical verses of God's love to humanity. After the Bible study, Pacquiao sponsored parlor games participated in by his family members, employees, and guests, including local officials and media with total prizes of more than P1 million. If you have any questions or inquiry just email rexyapejr@gmail.com