Amateur boxer, parents argue suit filed after statute of limitations

GALVESTON - An El Paso boxer and his parents who are allegedly the focus of an October breach of contract lawsuit formally refute the allegations against them. 

Amateur fighter David Rodriguez Jr. and his parents, David Sr. and Patricia, submitted an original answer into Bad Boyz Inc.'s suit on Nov. 30, asserting general denial, special exceptions and affirmative defenses.

A boxing management firm claims in court documents filed last Oct. 15 that Rodriguez turned down potential challenges and engaged in conduct detrimental to his ability to perform, stating such acts violated the agreement between the parties.

The suit states the plaintiff expended "countless hours and sweat" and spent more than $400,000 developing Rodriguez Jr. as a professional athlete, but he failed and refused to uphold his part of the agreement by declining fights with formidable foes on several occasions, drinking alcohol excessively and abusing steroids.

According to the original petition, several promoters around the country knew of Rodriguez Jr.'s purportedly “destructive” lifestyle and would not include him on cards, which caused it to instead arrange fights in Mexico.

His parents are believed to “have played a significant role” in the decisions that he had made in connection to his boxing career, the suit says.

The defendants claim Bad Boyz's "allegations are vague and do not describe in sufficient detail to permit the defendants to address the allegations."

They contend the suit was not filed within the two-year period beginning from the date of injury since the complainant reportedly chose to pursue legal action five years after the contract's apparent expiration date.

Attorney David L. Leffman with Gordon Davis Johnson & Shane P.C. in El Paso is representing the respondents.

Case No. 12-CV-2176