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http://www.jrn.com/ktnv/breaking-news/Brothers-suing-boxer-Floyd-Mayweather-after-sparring-sessions-used-on-Showtime-279598552.html
Despite what boxing champ and promoter Floyd Mayweather told the Nevada Athletic Commission, the two brothers involved in fights showcased by a Showtime "All Access" segment before Mayweather's rematch against Marcos Maidana are claiming that the fights were real, and they have now filed suit.
Sharif Rahman, 18, and his older brother Hasim Rahman Jr. are members of the Mayweather Boxing Club.
According to the complaint, Sharif says Mayweather told him on Aug. 20 that he would be sparring with Donovan Cameron.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PDF OF THE LAWSUIT
The lawsuit claims Sharif was forced to fight Cameron for several rounds that lasted five to seven minutes. It also says that when Sharif asked for shorter rounds, Mayweather refused to comply.
When a bystander told Sharif to leave the ring because the fight was not going well for the smaller and less experienced fighter, the lawsuit alleges that Mayweather "responded by telling Cameron and others that if Sharif left the ring, to beat his ass outside the ring," the lawsuit claims.
Sharif allegedly "feared for his safety and was forced to continue the fight."
Sharif's older brother Hasim came to the boxing club after being notified of what was happening. He then challenged Cameron to a fight.
Hasim says Mayweather allowed him to fight Cameron and called it a "fight to the death."
According to the paperwork, Hasim is also claiming that Mayweather wagered "large sums of money" against him without his knowledge.
That fight lasted 31 minutes without any breaks.
Sharif says that the sparring session against Donovan Cameron was filmed for "All Access" without his knowledge, and he was never asked to sign a release or consent. Hasim says that he also never gave permission for his fight against Cameron to be used. In addition, the brothers are claiming that the fights were heavily edited to make Sharif appear to be an "unskilled boxer."
The fights were then used in a segment shown several times on the Showtime network to help drive pay-per-view sales of Mayweather's Sept. 13 fight against Maidana.
After members of the Nevada State Athletic Commission saw the program, they demanded that Mayweather make an appearance before them. The atheltic commission was concerned about the potential abuse of the fighters, and also references to marijuana use in the segment.
Mayweather assured the commission that the fights, and the pot, were not real.
The brothers are seeking punitive damages for invasion of right of intrusion upon name or likeness, false light and defamation, battery, tortious assault, false imprisonment, negligence and intentional interference with potential economic advantage.
The brothers are suing Mayweather, Mayweather Promotions and Showtime Networks.
The brothers are the sons of former heavyweight champion Hasim Sharif Rahman, best known for his surprising defeat of Lennox Lewis by KO in 2001.
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