Pacquiao/Mayweather In Jeopardy!
December 22nd, 2009
The mega-fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao is now in jeopardy after Golden Boy Promotions, on behalf of Mayweather Promotions, learned today that Manny Pacquiao is refusing to comply with Olympic style drug testing as outlined and mandated by the United States Anti Doping Agency (USADA) and as requested by Mayweather’s management to ensure fair play and sportsmanship by both fighters.
Early today Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, was contacted by Top Rank President Todd duBoef, who informed Schaefer that Pacquiao would not agree to have his blood taken within 30-days of the bout based on the fighter’s superstition of testing so close to a fight.
Schaefer commented, “Todd told me that Pacquiao has difficulty with taking blood and doesn’t want to do it so close to the fight. He, Pacquiao, would only agree to have blood drawn before the kick-off press conference and after the fight.”
Olympic style drug testing involves random sampling of the athlete’s blood and urine prior to and after the fight. The USADA procedure includes both blood and urine sampling so that all banned substances, some of which do not show up in urine alone, are tested for thoroughly.
“It is unfortunate to hear this from Manny Pacquiao’s representatives, particularly since, as of today, both parties had worked out all other issues related to this fight,” said Schaefer. “Team Mayweather is certainly surprised that an elite athlete like Manny Pacquiao would refuse drug testing procedures which Floyd has already agreed to and have been agreed to by many other top athletes such as Lance Armstrong, and Olympians Michael Phelps, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.”
Mayweather, who was informed of Pacquiao’s reluctance shortly after Schaefer received word of the impasse, feels Pacquiao has to explain himself immediately or be faced with accusations from the media and the public regarding his own status as a clean and drug free athlete.
“I understand Pacquiao not liking having his blood taken, because frankly I don’t know anyone who really does,” said Mayweather. “But in a fight of this magnitude, I think it is our responsibility to subject ourselves to sportsmanship at the highest level. I have already agreed to the testing and it is a shame that he is not willing to do the same. It leaves me with great doubt as to the level of fairness I would be facing in the ring that night. I hope that this is either some miscommunication or that Manny will change his mind and step up and allow these tests, which were good enough for all these other great athletes, to be performed by USADA.”
Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions said, “We hope that Manny will do the right thing and agree to the testing as it is an egregious act to deny the testing and hence, deny the millions of fans the right to see this amazing fight. We just want to make sure there is a level playing field in a sport that is a man-to-man contest that relies on strength and ability. I still hope this decision is coming from someone in Pacquiao’s camp and not Manny himself as it would be a shame that an athlete of his stature and who represents his whole country would not be able to show the public or his fellow athletes that he agrees to the highest standards in sports competition.”
Tags: 20 Responses to “Pacquiao/Mayweather In Jeopardy!”
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My comparison is based on logic. In the olympics, the boxer only plays four (4) rounds. So even if they take as many blood possible the fight is only for four (4) rounds. Unlike in professional boxing where the boxer has to fight for twelve (12) damn rounds, so I believe that the olympic style of drug testing is irrelevant. This is just another mayweather gimmick to get out of the fight. Besides, the urine kind of testing has been sanctioned by the Las Vegas Boxing Regulation so it’s enough. Floyd, please don’t ask for anything irrelevant.
d.d.
catch weight has been in boxing for a long time…
drug testing as well…
the mayweather request of bloodtesting is a PAQ rule they just added to boxing.
Lets look at this…. 30 days, why is that time frame so important?
If anyone that knows anything. 30 days is just about the optimal time for any drugs, supplements or whatever to be absorbed completely and washed out your system, so thats what I see as the 30 day window thing really… But thats just me.. Whats the big deal. If Pacquiao is ready mentally and physically, nothing will be able to shake him off his game… NOTHING.. and Bob Arum, is a Lawyer!!! He will say or do almost anything to make his client look good to save face, thats called Public Relations…
mannys camp insists on mayweathers weight not being over a certain point , then why wont they accept mayweathers drug tests ?? hmm , you have to wonder !! for the kind of coin they are making this shouldnt even be an issue ..look for floyd to really make a statement in this fight !!
Pacquiao should be ready for a beat.. Floyds’ the man. I believe this fight is Mayweathers’
Don’t worry, guys? Manny will give in to the tests whichever way they want it to be. Pacman’s camp is just fishing for mayweathers’ reaction. Already we now know how mayweather respects pacman. Of all the fighters pretty boy has fought only pacman is single out for a blood test. Perhaps there’s a different face in pretty boy’s mirror. So scary…
Pacquiao’s issue is obviously rooted within superstitious beliefs which is a part of Philippine culture. Most Americans would not be able to relate to other country’s cultural traditions either because of arrogance (egocentric) or plain ignorance (not being out of the US). Imagine yourself being in Saudi Arabia, e.g., and innocently extending your left hand in handshake. Guess what you get out of it.
That being said, Pacquiao has no problems having the blood tests done IMMEDIATELY AFTER the fight. Now that is a very good compromise the Mayweather camp should consider. Otherwise, Mayweather is just trying to find an excuse out of the fight.
24 hours before the fight 15cc drawn nand another 15cc after the fight is a problem???? I am a Pacman fan and if the loud mouth Arum is out there talkin off the fight he should be ashamed, and it makes me kinda smell somthn fishy at Manny’s camp. By the way they will do the same to Mayweather at the same time; its not just Pacman. If there’s anything that happens to their bodies, its even.
I hope Pacman be man enough and take the tests; and be his own boss and not have pple like Arum do the talking.
By the way Pacman was bleeding so much in both Marquez fights and still won. Am also sure he bled more than 30cc’s.
And If they start testing this fighters, what will my fav.. fighter Mosely do??? I am worried lolll…
it’s just an excuse from mayweather camp….
it’s a psy-war
if your man enough, big, strong, and smart fight pacquiao
before and after the fight testing are enough to know a man is on drugs….
if you’re man enough….mayweather
Pacquiao will agree to this sooner or later, he will will give blood. Then come March, he will have Mayweather’s blood. I wonder what is Floyd’s next excuse?
Yahoo! News. Fight is virtually off as annoyed Arum hint on looking for another fighter.
Quoting Arum “Because Manny is not going to be subjected to blood testing while he’s in training and they (Mayweather camp) are going to insist on it because they never really wanted to do the fight.” He adds, “We’re willing to do all kinds of urine analysis. We’re willing to do blood testing before the press conference (scheduled early January) and after the fight. We’re not willing to do blood testing while he’s in training..”
But the blood testing clause now derailed the talks, a move that Team Pacquiao considers Mayweather’s psy-war tactics and possible way out of the much-anticipated fight.
well i doubt that kobe bryant or lebron james will allow to have blood taken from them entering the playoffs.
if i were manny i would choose to fight mosley for welterweight unification bout. mosley is more deserving for the $80 million fight. who knows after the 1st blood extract floyd jr. will request for another one.
how anyone can lay blame on floyd for this is just ridiculous….mayweathers camp has agreed on everything so far so if this fight dosent go ahead thers only one place to lay your blame-Team Pacquiao..They’re the ones who are dodging
plain bs..another of mayweather’s shameful excuse.
What ploy?Its only fair!!!I hope Manny does because if he dont,we all know what that means!!Worried about a blood test when you got tattoos?Doesnt sound like a real man,and im a blood donor myself(and ive seen grown men nervous as hell)but aint nothing in the world gonna scare me(especially a needle)away from $20 million plus!!!If i suggest or think your cheating with PEDs,and i submit to testing and you dont because of some lame reason,what does that say about you?Like i said i hope manny does submit to the test.I never thought about no ike that about him until i seen him destroy Cotto!Right after the fight i look at my relatives and told them,i think Manny got loaded gloves(with cocaine,you know where he from,lol)or he on them “roids”!!Im a pacmanfan all day,everyday,but something told me to say that!!Now look at all the allegations!Manny please be legit!!!
Well, look at how the Mayweather camp is doing. They’re demanding for something that is not that necessary, and will probably use it as an excuse not to fight Manny. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mayweather wouldn’t fight Pacquiao, to be honest. They’re demanding for a test to ascertain something that could actually be determined by a simpler test. See the point? Floyd Jr.’s camp is making up with excuses so as not to fight Pacquiao. Is there courage displayed here…?
Sorry, I misread. Pacquiao’s team have yet to release a statement about the subject…even though my first comment didn’t post, im sure it will appear later because it seems to keep happening to me for some reason.
neukid – it seems pretty legitimate to me, both camps releasing statements and all. Although the press isnt always reliable, usually they just blatantly change statements and quotes to cause controversy.
I think the way the drug testing came about through accusations towards Pacquiao was harsh. But, this should benefit the sport a great deal. The drug testing in professional boxing is very lax and hopefully this will eventually result in the change of rules, possibly introducing random testing.
Like I said, the way it came about was harsh, but Pacquiao has to agree to this test otherwise he will come under a lot of questioning and critics will jump on him. Especially after the way he has jumped through the divisions over the past couple of years, he wouldn’t have a foot to stand on.
Another ploy from the Mayweather camp. Let’s hear the official word from the Pacquiao camp before jumping into any conclusion. Relax everyone and get all the facts straight before judging who is ducking who. Mayweather camp is loud mouth camp that talks loud and premature.
This news is BS of course Manny will agree to any test anytime, anywhere or else his reputation is on the line.