‘Please Tell The Truth’ HBO Sports Crew Told

by ALEX P. VIDAL

WEST COVINA, California — The friend of world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao who sued prominent boxing trainer Freddie Roach for damages has appealed to several crew men of HBO who were allegedly present inside the Wild Card gym boxing club when the alleged mauling incident happened on Oct. 20 to "please come out and tell the truth."

"I appeal to all those TV crew members of HBO who witnessed the incident to please come out and tell the truth," Gregorio "Gregg" Asuncion wrote in an e-mail to the giant TV network which exclusively facilitated some of Pacquiao’s big fights on a pay-per-view deal mostly in Las Vegas.
"Please help me ferret out the truth (now that a case has been formally filled in court)," added the 51-year-old Asuncion, who claimed the 48-year-old Roach hit him in the back while he was inside the gym after he escorted Pacquiao from the boxer’s "The Palazzo" apartment in Los Angeles.

"There were many people present and the HBO TV crew were there because they were documenting a story in preparation for Pacquiao’s fight against Oscar De La Hoya (on December 6 in Las Vegas)," narrated Asuncion who works in the LA County Sheriff’s Office.

LOCKER ROOM

Asuncion clarified that the incident allegedly happened in the locker room when he was about to ask permission from Pacquiao to wait down-stairs after being told by both gym security chief Rob Peters and Roach himself that he was not welcome in the gym.

After being told by Peters to go out as per instruction of Roach, Asuncion said he approached Roach who told him to "get hell out of the gym." At this juncture, he went to Pacquiao in the locker room, he said, to ask permission to go.

"Fred must have thought I would tell Manny that he wanted to drive me away," Asuncion explained.

He said he fell on his knees after allegedly being chopped in the neck by Roach from behind. On his way to the door, Asuncion said he felt dizzy and fell. Instead of helping him, some of the trainer’s supporters allegedly jeered and accused him of acting.

Once outside, Asuncion said he called 911 for help and the paramedics and police arrived at the gym. He was put on a stretcher, and given a neck brace before being taken to the hospital.

THREE CANDLES

Asuncion’s wife, Allyson, his co-plaintiff in the complaint for damages on assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, premises liability, and loss of consortium filed before the Superior Court of the State of California County of Los Angeles, Stanley Mosk Courthouse, said she lits three candles every night "for enlightenment."

"All I want is for the truth to come out and justice for my husband," said Allyson, 50, a Chinese mestiza. "I hope those who know the truth, including Manny Pacquiao himself, will finally come out and shed light on the incident. That’s why, I lit three candles every night for enlightenment."
Roach has repeatedly denied hitting Asuncion saying he merely asked him to go out. /MP