Boxer Floyd Mayweather has been ordered by a US judge to pay over US$100,000 (NZ$121,000) in legal costs after the American failed to answer questions from Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao's lawyers in a defamation case.
American federal judge Larry Hicks awarded Pacquiao about US$113,000 (NZ$136,000) in legal fees for his lawyers and US$774 in costs, because of "Mayweather's obviously intentional decision not to appear for his court ordered deposition".
Pacquiao filed a lawsuit three years ago in Las Vegas, saying that Mayweather defamed him by suggesting Pacquiao used performance-enhancing substances. The lawsuit seeks unspecific damages.
"Calling a professional athlete a cheater is the most serious charge one can make," the lawsuit said.
"Accusing an athlete of using performance-enhancing drugs - however baseless and lacking in evidence - is toxic."
