The mega-bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao has finally been set. But while the boxing fireworks won't be seen until the 2nd of May, one person who has taken a shot at the Filipino boxing icon has already lost.

However, it had nothing to do with boxing at all.

Former NBA player Daniel Orton was released by his team in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) following his untoward comments directed at Pacquiao, who also serves as the playing coach of the Kia Carnival in the PBA.

"That Pacquiao's playing a joke, part of the joke I'm talking about. Professional boxer? Yeah. Congressman? Alright. But professional basketball player? Seriously? It's a joke," said the 24-year-old Orton, who was playing for the Purefoods Hotshots.

"Before the game, I was looking forward to it (matchup with 7'3" Peter John Ramos), because I'm a guy who likes to battle it at the post. They (referees) really took the game that I know and love and made it into a mockery tonight," Orton also said.

Following the comments, the PBA fined Orton 250,000 pesos ($5,650) for his comments, and was subsequently released by the team he just signed with this month.

"The office disapproves of and frowns upon the cavalier manner in which Mr. Orton issued his comments and the unwarranted antics and liberties he has taken with the league and a fellow player," PBA commissioner Chito Salud said in a released statement.

"This insulting behavior will never be condoned by this league."

Team administrator Rene Pardo was also quoted saying, "Everyone is angry at him"¦it's like he went to the United States and insulted the name of Martin Luther King."

Orton was a former Kentucky player who was drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft in 2010. He has stints with the Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Philadelphia 76ers.