Welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao's legal team has filed a motion for default and dismissal in his defamation lawsuit against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pacquiao's representatives, Daniel Petrocelli and David Marroso, filed the motion Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Nevada. They are seeking a default judgment because Mayweather has steadfastly refused to appear during any of the 24 dates that he's been sought for deposition.
Pacquiao is accusing Mayweather of defamation after the rival boxer made repeated statements alleging that the Filipino fighter used performance-enhancing substances. Pacquiao has denied such claims.
The Associated Press obtained a copy of the motion Thursday.
"Mayweather is not above the law," Petrocelli told the AP during a phone interview. "He's essentially forfeited his right for a defense" by not appearing at the depositions.
Mayweather's legal representatives did not return emails seeking comment.
The 15-page document outlines the timeframes during which Mayweather was asked to appear for deposition, and claims that he has continued to allege Pacquiao's use of performance-enhancing substances.
Mayweather has cited his need to focus on an upcoming fight against Victor Ortiz, scheduled for September, along with the associated promotional requirements as the reason he has not attended the court-ordered depositions.
But several photographs included in the motion appear to show Mayweather at parties in Atlanta and Las Vegas during the same time periods during which he refused to be deposed.
"He is basically undermining the legal process," Petrocelli said.