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Roach denies beating up Pacquiao’s associate


CHICAGO – Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach has denied laying a hand on Gregg Asuncion, an associate of the Filipino boxing star, saying that any damages being claimed by Asuncion could have been instigated by “third parties." In a six-page “Answer to Complaint" filed by Roach’s lawyer Keith M. Davidson, a copy of which was obtained by this reporter, the 48-year-old trainer “denies generally and specifically, each and every allegation of the Complaint and denies that Plaintiffs have sustained damages in the sum alleged, or in any other sum, at all." Roach filed his answer ahead of the March 3, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. court date for a conference management hearing of a civil case filed against him by Pacquiao’s associate, who sometimes acts as Pacquiao’s bodyguard and driver, before Judge Kenneth Freeman of the Superior Court of Los Angeles in California. In his complaint, the 51-year-old Asuncion alleged that he was inside the Wildcard Gym Boxing club owned by Roach last Oct. 20, 2008 when Roach punched him in the nape. The blow was so hard, Asuncion fell on the floor. The gym is located at 1123 Vine St., #14, Los Angeles. In an e-mail to this reporter, Asuncion said the incident happened “in front of Manny (Pacquiao) while I’m (sic) talking to him. But he (Manny) denies ever seeing the incident. I guess he is (sic) blind at that time." When asked if he was going to include Pacquiao as co-defendant in the civil lawsuit, Asuncion, a Manila-born naturalized American citizen, said he will discuss the matter with his lawyers, Robert H. NcNeill Jr. and associate, Allison Turner. According to court records, Asunsion was suing Roach and “1 to 100 Does" in an “unlimited civil case" for damages ranging from assault, battery, intentional and negligent inflictions of emotional distress, negligence, premises liability and loss of consortium by Gregorio Asuncion and his wife, Allyson Asuncion, both residents of Los Angeles county. Asuncion, a radio technician of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office, first met Pacquiao in 2004 during Pacquiao’s first bout with Juan Manuel Marquez. He said the Filipino boxing sensation is his idol and friend. He even co-signed the documents when Pacquiao bought his Navigator SUV. As Pacquiao’s associate, Asuncion said sometimes Pacquiao gives him balato (chump change) “but most of the time abunado pa ako sa gastos (I am always in the receiving end because of overhead expenses.)" In his answer, Roach said Asuncion’s complaint has no cause of action and the facts alleged did not “constitute a cause of action" against him. He added the complaint was “vague and unintelligible" and that Asuncion and his wife, Allyson, are not entitled to relief by virtue of their own unclean hands in the acts and events averred." Roach also believes that Asuncion and his wife have “waived their rights" against him and “are precluded from seeking any relief." He added the Asuncions “are barred from seeking any relief based on their own conduct, actions, inaction and the doctrine of estoppel." Roach added that the “Asuncions are barred from seeking any relief as the time period to make a claim has expired." He added that the Asuncions’ damages, if any, were contributed by their “own negligence." Roach also said that the Asuncions’ “injuries, losses and damages were caused by an act of God." He also said they are “barred from any recovery by the Statute of Frauds; by doctrine of latches; and doctrine of waiver." Roach prayed that the Asuncions take “nothing by its Complaints" but prayed that they pay for his “attorney’s fees and costs of suit; and for such other relief that the Court deems just and proper." - GMANews.TV
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