Manila, Philippines - People’s champ Manny Pacquiao will no longer fight Floyd Mayweather, Jr. inside the ring but in court.

Pacquiao declared on Dec. 26 his intention to file a defamation lawsuit against Floyd Mayweather Jr., Sr. and Golden Boy Promotions Inc. for alleging that he uses performance-enhancing drugs.

Pacquiao, through his promoter Robert "Bob" Arum, also declared that his proposed match against Mayweather, Jr. on March 13, 2010 is “over.”

The Filipino boxer is said to be dismayed with Mayweather’s demand that they undergo Olympic-style random drug test [which requires a blood test done 48 hours before their match].

“Bakit? Dahil mas malaki siya sa akin, [may] advantage siya [kung gagawin namin ‘yon]. Manghina kami pareho pag nagpa-blood test [at that time], at mas advantage siya kasi mas malaki siya sa akin,” Pacquiao said in an interview aired on “Startalk.”

Pacquiao’s official statement on the matter read:

“Enough is enough. These people Mayweather Sr. Jr. and Golden Boy Promotions think it is a joke and a right to accuse people wrongly of using steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. I have tried to just brush it off as a mere pre-fight ploy but I think they have gone overboard.

“I have instructed my promoter Bob Arum, head of Top Rank Incorporated, to help me out in the filing of the case as soon as possible.

“I maintain and assure everyone that I have not used any form or kind of steroids, and that my way to the top is a result of hard work, hard work, hard work and a lot of blood spilled from my past battles in the ring, not outside of it.”

In another interview, the world’s only seven-time, seven-weight division boxing champion said, “I have no idea what steroids look like and my fear in God has kept me safe and victorious through all these years.”

His Christmas message to Mayweather was carried in a report published by the Associated Press:

“To Floyd, despite all these accusations, may your Christmas be merry and I will see you in court, soon, too.”