EXCLUSIVE: Pacquiao-Murad trial starts on June 20 in NYC!

By G. Leon

01/06/2005

EXCLUSIVE: Pacquiao-Murad trial starts on June 20 in NYC!

Earlier today Judge Loretta Preska granted Murad Muhammad a preliminary injuction that will prevent Manny Pacquiao from signing with any other promoter until his trial has concluded. However in a move that may have surprised Muhammad, Preska also expedited the suit to a full jury trial beginning on June 20, 2005. Moments ago, Pacquiao attorney Judd Burstein told Boxingtalk, "We're so happy about getting a trial on June 20 that we're not even appealing the granted preliminary injuction. By the end of June Manny will have a finding of his freedom by a jury. In fairness to Murad, his lawyer did a wonderful and the judge was favorably inclined towards his position, but I put my faith in the jury system. It was beyond my wildest dreams that I would be able to get a full trial to have everything resolved by the end of June, which is something they vigorously opposed." REMEMBER WHERE YOU HEARD IT FIRST! (12:30 PM ET)