Paulie Malignaggi and the Pacquiao Steroids Nonsense
December 9th, 2009
By Steve Lewis: Junior welterweight contender Paulie Malignaggi, who has an upcoming rematch against Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz this coming Saturday in Chicago, IL, has made some noise again all over the internet over his “speculation” and “opinion” that WBO Welterweight Champion Manny Pacquiao is under the influence of performance enhancing drugs, despite numerous reports that Pacquiao had tested negative after his Nov. 14 bout with Miguel Cotto.
“Look at what Manny is doing. He is absolutely crushing world-class killers. And here he is, this little midget.”
“He gets a broken eardrum and yet, he is walking around afterwards like he was dodging spitballs. There are things (drugs?) out there than can do that.”
“You’re hiding under a rock if you can’t see what I am talking about. This is a guy who was life and death with Juan Manuel Marquez at 120 pounds and now, he’s got 15 to 17 pounds of muscle on him. Look at how short he is. He didn’t get taller, did he?”
Now, I am not a chemist or a biologist, but I have seen and heard of the various symptoms and side effects of someone who is on steroids or performance enhancing drugs. Does Pacquiao fir the profile? Here are the typical signs:
* Unusually greasy hair or oily skin (Pacquiao does not appear to be any more greasy or oilier than Malignaggi).
* Acne breakouts in the shoulder and back area (even watching on HD, I don’t recall seeing any on Pacquiao).
* Hair loss or receding hairline (if anything, Pacquiao’s hair seems to be getting wilder and bushier).
* Increased thickness and length of body hair (other than Pacquiao’s scraggly beard, I don’t see much body hair on him).
* Abnormally excessive development of the breast tissue (Pacquiao’s never really been noted for his pecs, but rather for his massive calves and those shark-like gills underneath his chest).
* Increased aggression or irritability (other than in the squared circle, Pacquiao is as nice as they come, signing autographs for hours, etc. He’s not exactly noted as being a “snarler.” He smiles, waving at the crowd when he marches into the ring, for crying out loud.)
* Disrespectful or abusive behavior (Pacquiao never trash talks and always remains diplomatic, even towards his opponents).
* Extreme mood swings (Pacquiao is known to be a happy-go-lucky kind of guy).
* Almost cartoonish muscle growth (Pacquiao has never been considered a “big” guy. The guy is cut like hell, but he does not have a crazy bodybuilder-type physique. In his climb from 126 to 130 to meet Erik Morales, Pacquiao was the seen as the “smaller” man. In his climb from 130 to 135 against David Diaz, Pacquiao was the “smaller” man. In his climb to 140 to meet Ricky Hatton, Pacquiao was the “smaller” man. In his climb to 145 to meet Cotto, Pacquiao was the “smaller” man).
* Unusual increase in the size of the head – literally, not figuratively (money & fame will do that, but look at Major League Baseball’s Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire. Their noggins literally got bigger. Barry Bonds’ hat size reportedly increased by 4 sizes! Pacquiao’s head appears to be the same).
* Uncharacteristic increase of power/stamina (Pacquiao has always been noted as a puncher with “pop.” He was not some feather-fist who developed power out of nowhere, like Bret Boone of Major League Baseball, who became a homerun hitter out of nowhere. When Pacquiao started out as a jr. flyweight pro, Pacquiao ended his fights with a KO or TKO within 5 rounds or less in 15 of his first 25+ fights. He knocked down the Mexican triumvirate of Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, and Juan Manuel Marquez at least 11 times, maybe more if not for ropes holding them up or the bell saving them. Numerous sparring partners have reportedly been sent home packing, with birds still flying around their heads. The guy obviously does not get called a “Tropical Storm” or a “Typhoon” because of all the wind that he blows).
So none of these common warning signs seem to be applicable to Pacquiao. This is a guy, after all, who is even hesitant to take an Advil, let alone, steroids.
It’s a silly accusation. Steroids or not, a perfectly placed punch to a precise spot on the chin will still knock you down, if not out! And Malignaggi’s suggestion that Pacquiao must be on something to withstand the pain of power shots and a busted eardrum is ridiculous! Someone would have to be on PCP or something similar to walk through major punishment.
Seriously, if Pacquiao was on PCP, he would not be prancing into the ring with an ear-to-ear grin, waving at fans, looking like a kid in a toy store. He would be fidgeting around, contorting his facial muscles like he’s about to jack someone.
Does Pacquiao look like he’s on some kind of uppers? The guy is too cool under pressure and laid back to be on any kind of uppers. Some people will have to realize that sometimes, it’s all about hard work and discipline. And for even a select few, it’s a matter of having a God-given gift or ability.
Let’s hope this issue is finally laid to rest, but with the upcoming superfight with the Mayweathers, it probably will not.
Tags: 73 Responses to “Paulie Malignaggi and the Pacquiao Steroids Nonsense”
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@ Las Vegas Fight Fan
You speak a lot of sense mate. I am a Floyd fan and unlike what the Pac fans say, I do not hate Pac at all. He is a very good fighter. I just think there’s no smoke without fire. He would’ve resolved this issue earlier surely?
PAULIE MALIGNANT! You cannot win against the pacman. so you better take steroids.
if pacquiao was on PCP….i would pay so much money to see pacquiao fight on PCP lol….
I am a big Pacquio fan, who has attented every single fight he has had at the MGM Grand(Floyd Mayweather too). It’s great when the Phillipino fans come to town sometimes two weeks in advance and turn the town upside down, but with that said…
First, the list of symptoms listed by the writer only apply to much older steroids that nobody uses if they can afford it. So get with the times.
Every time someone is accused of steroids in the past 15 years it has started out this way. And every time it’s been later found out through testing, or grand jury that the maligned accusers were 100% accurate.
The journalist who usually defend the accused on ESPN, Blogs, etc, actually know better, and have much more concrete things to go on, but LIE to you.
I don’t know or care if he is on steroids. But I want let race, or who I’m a fan of make me oblivious to the signs. Physically he has all the signs. Talk to someone who does or has done steroids in the last ten years. Don’t just form an opinion because of how you feel about the particular athlete or use outdated information.
So me?….. I will just wait and see, but I would never be so adamant about any athlete not being on drugs. And as far as him passing all his test… they are urine tests. So, they cant be testing for very much. And the steroids of choice these days need a blood test given within a very short time period anyway.
I like Pacquio because he is a great boxer, not because I think he is a great person, or because of HBO 24/7, or because he talks about god …. I know better. Fans need to stop looking for some psuedo intimate relationship with an athlete. Just enjoy the physical accomplishments and/or team play.
Being a sports photographer has let me see how totally different star athletes are when a camera is not on them. Almost every single athlete that most people think is god fearing or a great person…. ISNT. And I get the impression that they wouldnt be as good if they were really as nice as you think they are. Also, most athletes will give almost anything at least a try if they think it’s going to take them to the next level.
Steroids have changed significantly in recent times. Not as harmful over the long term, and athletes with the help of “nutritionist” have learned to “cycle” and let there bodies have a break.Also,there are alternatives to the needle being used.These things have taken away some of the last hurdles for a lot of athletes.
Hope he turns out to be different. If so, he will have to be considered in the top five all time boxers, regardless of weight class.
Say again? Who’s Paulie Malignaggi? For real…oh right, the guy with 5 ko’s! Bahahahaha! Wait….what’s his name again?
In response to “belowthebelt”
The time between the Marquez fight and Cotto fight is about 5/6 years.
Is it not possible to gain 14 lbs in about 5 to 6 years???
Who the f**k isPAULI MALINAGGI?!!!?
PAULIE TELLS THE TRUTH AND IT HURTS JUST REMEMBER
SOSA, MCQUIRE YOU THOUGHT THAT WAS REAL NOW
TIGER WOODS MAYBE YOU HAVE TO QUESTION WHAT GOING ON ONLY STUPID PEOPLE DONT ASK QUESTION
Cintron and Malignaggi are envious douchebags.
Never in a million years they’ll achieve what Pacquiao achieved. They’re not even worthy to be mentioned in the same breath with Pacquiao.
The only thing they could do is pull baseless accusations out of their a55es and run their filthy mouths. They are laughably pathetic.
yo paulie your as stupid as the punching bag your hitting, and you just want a fight with manny to cash in, but you are not a de la hoya, or a mayweather so it wont happen so keep on punching that bag and dont be surprise if it starts talking to you because your a dumb ox, paulie a dumb ox hahahahh
lamo maggigeezzzz ah manny just said he willing to do an olympics type of random drug test? Mr maggoo will to do the same, he is on something because it affects his brains cells making him more stupid than he normally is.
steroids nothin….Manny Pacquiao is Yoda !! Check out his battle w/lord dookoo. in & out fast as hell and powerful. yea thats the ticket..Manny is a jedi. defeat mayweather, he will.
its a dumb ploy in hopes for a big payday matchup with Manny. paulie would not last 1 round. plus paulie is so insignificant that Manny will not take notice. Manny only fights the best.
And yuh, Paulie Malignaggi is just some stupid, ignorant sour graper. Who should educate himself first before opening his mouth again.
Yup, read this article and even claims of cycling the drug can’t even cut it:
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/282649
Great article again from you, Steve Lewis.
Everybody should read this and learn from you.
For anybody still doubting, here’s a link to another article as a support to this superb piece (everybody should read this too):
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/282649
Paul Malignaggi “idiotically sour graping” classless fighter
G8 article!
only a fool will beleve what going on in boxing
one must look at it as an inside job watch who
handling the urine also get a different lab
make sure there no inside help remember SOSA
and Mcquire in baseball they had everyone fool
americans are tired of this bs everyone
comes here think we are stupid test both
fighters then let them fight
Pacman is a natural Boxer in other word “Organic’ that is why all those world Class Boxers are fallen.Paul Malignaggi is just a jealous no class boxer.
I think Pacquiao is taking some sort of steroid in clay form (scientific name: NardongPutik AntingAntingski). You need the confession of one Philippine senator. I am sure, Paul Malimali can get a nod out of the fame senator for an interview. It is going to be a secret revealed. Sshhhh.
you don’t know much about steroids.. you’re talking about steroid ABUSE.. It is possible to use steroids wisely and no one would ever notice.. One great example is Swarzenagger… A known user,and admitted, but his usage compared to his peers was superb. Yes he was big, but he was defined, balanced.. And not exactly freakish..
To say that Manny used cycled a couple of times isn’t really that big of deal. And isn’t going to change much. There are however amphetamines that increase his speed. However amphetamines are difficult to test for.
Hey if people are talking they may there;s something to it. But one thing’s for sure.. Timing, combinations, endurance, have nothing to do with steroid use…
gago pla tong malignaggi!!! malignaggi is such an idiot!!!paquiao’s of-training weight is 147 to 149 lbs during his featherweight bouts he drains himself 14 to 16 lbs before weighing-in then rehydrates at fight night back to 144 to 148.pauli is just a kind of boxer who that just go in the ring and just box and hope for judge to root for him to win(which is boring type boxing and the type of fights that kill’s the sport of boxing). unlike pacman you get entertained.as for the steriods i don’t think so!!!NSAC is the most stricktest in the world!!! so goodluck if can prove something. i just think people say things just to get noticed rather than make a name from themselves…
i personally think he may be on something but who cares… seriously and for the side effects… my friend was on juice when he was in college and we never knew… hgh is out there and undetectable the only way to see it is by a blood test…there are other things that make people stronger without getting bigger… there is a steroid that they give people with bone problems that make your bones stronger and u increase strength and is out of the system in 3 days… but pacman ko’s his fighters by hitting them cleanly and catching them off balance…not just power…
Water weight can fluctuate a great deal. I gain and lose 6-7 pounds from sweating profusely. I play basketball and weight train, so I don’t see his gain of 14.8 pounds that big of a deal. There is no real way to gauge his actual weight gain without knowing how much is water, fat, and Muscle… puh-lease, quit trying to make excuses for his greatness. Mayweather sure did look like he grew some muscles during his retirement, how do you know he wasn’t using for a while and then stopped at the right time so he’s not detected himself?
bottom line – Pacquiao win or lose against mayweather, is P4P King. Mayweather will be Defensive great of all time, but far from P4P.
Manny wasn’t the smaller man in the Cotto fight. Their stats were about even.
MOSELY WAS TESTED ,AND WAS NEVER FOUND OUT,IT WAS HIS DEALER WHO BLEW THE WISTLE.
congratulations! stevie.Paulie baby,you need an immediate medical attention.maybe you have eaten too much crab in San Francisco.why don’t you pick this upcoming mexican middleweight cheater caught taking deuritics.Manny’s secret is “krist…..o”.
bah, paulie just wants to be involved into some conversation. what a douche
pacman is not on drugs, he is an alien disguise as human!!ha!ha!ha!
even if he is taking something we will never know hes making a lot of money for many people..
in this times imagine what does a drama like this means for boxing, it all be ufc better forget it.
I agree with you 100% Steve. These guys are looking for excuses on Manny Pacquiao’s success.
Instead, why not watch his training videos and be enlightened.
paulie, look at your record. you can’t even ko most of your fights. 26 wins 5 kos. what kind of record is that? why don’t you just sell a pizza or become a delivery boy?
Manny Pacquiao is everything that Paulie have dreamed of becoming one day but because of his inability to win big fights due to his limited physical limitations he had failed miserably. Who would believe or even take his words? The guy is obviously NOT a Pacman in heart, body and soul.
never seen such a mediocre boxer talk so much – especially about a guy he’ll never fight.
malignaggi: dueche bag personified.
This is a very cohesive, clear and objective way of writing. I salute you for that. Thanks for enligtening us, even for a Filipino like me, who has no idea with the Art of War of the Boxing World.
Someone should ask Paulie what kind of steroids Manny is using since Paulie ‘seems’ to know the type of steroids that can do so many wonders and cannot be detected.
Paulie (and Cintron) just want (w/ bum promoters) to squeeze out huge amount of dollars in a fight with Pacman. Note Paulie and Cintron are within Pacman’s weight range. Here’s an advice to Paulie: Change your boxing attire..it looks like a skirt.
Lost all respect for Paulie…what an envious fool…thanks to the writer of this article for talking some sense
Pacquiao has never tested positive…end of.
Pacquiao has always had power, but it is not raw power that is troubling these “bigger” guys at 140lbs-147lbs, it’s the speed the punche are thrown at. De la Hoya, Hatton and Cotto all stated after there respective bouts that they couldn’t handle the speed and had trouble seeing the punches.
After visiting both camps of Pac-Cotto Firepower:
“Miguel Cotto is always in great shape and works hard during training. But in contrast to the other guy (in reference to Pacquiao), he looks like he’s on vacation”.
Bob Arum, Top Rank Promotions
Why can I never post on this site when an article interests me???
oh well if hes taking roids or not there isnt a drug out there that can help you beat the great floyd mayweather. Pacmans run through all these great fighter is about to come to a very fast halt march 13
The secret of Pacman is “TINOLA” a chicken cooked with horseradish and ginger a vegetable that can be found in the Philippines also he eats meal with rice 3 times a day as usual to the Filipinos and Japanese. i believe he never use steroids otherwise Manny will bothered his conscience because he’s a god fearing man. Another Manny’s secret is he dreamed about God about his faith watch it in Youtube he was interviewed in Filipino language. And one thing more of his secret he is not talking trash about his opponents he respect them all and not bragging for himself HAVE YOU NOTICE THAT PAULIE MALIGNAGGI?!! Please respect others so they will respect you too! I wish you luck Paulie for all your fights i hope you will reach your goal as Manny achieved in his career!
Paulie has no Power, no skills, I am suprised that he has been around for this long. The guy is asparring type fighter. He sucks
I think Paulie is just tryng to get Pacmans attention for a fight but who wants to fight Paulie his a cry baby…I dont even no why Baby Bull gave him the rematch….Im not a pacman fan at all but I dont think his on steriods…
“Disrespectful or abusive behavior (Pacquiao never trash talks and always remains diplomatic, even towards his opponents).”
If that is one of the symptoms, then Malignaggi must be on steroids.
“Unusual increase in the size of the head – literally, not figuratively”.
Poor powder-puff punching Malignaggi. His ego cannot accept that Pacquiao is lightyears ahead in skills/talents. He is hoping that by trash talking, he can get into Pacquiao’s nerves and eventually in the sweepstakes.
PAULINE MALIGIRLY IS THE B*TCH OF THE MENS’S BOXING. THIS F*GGT FROM BROOKLYN YAPS, YAPS, YAPS LIKE HIS UGLY WIFE. HE CAN’T GET ANY FIGHTS, CAUSE HE’S JUST A SPARRING PARTNER, AND MANNY’S SPARRRING PARTNER’S IS WAY BETTER THAN HIM. HE CAN GO BACK WORKING IN THE PIZZERIA ONCE DIAZ BEATS HIM AGAIN.
nice article again, mr lewis. this is greatly appreciated again. good views, well said, well explained. malinaggi is an attention seeker, underachiever boxer who likes to ride with someone achievements and accomplishments.
very nice article Steve… keep on writing i’ll read always!
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Another writer in this site pointed out how Paulie is still trying to find answers why Pac(a small guy) KOd Hatton in2 and Cotto in 12.
.
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Poor Paulie..
Yes, there’s a huge difference between you and Pacquiao.
.
.
Malignaggi is just making noise in the hope that he can land a fight with Pacquiao so he can earn money more than he can imagine…but sorry guy, you’re not in the short list. But you can apply as Manny’s sparring partner so you will know how it is to be in the ring with Manny and witness first hand how Manny trains and eventually learn from your experience. An example is Amir Khan – look at him now and compare yourself to him.
hes miserable about it because he lost to both hatton and cotto
Pac still is hiding something. He injected himself with something that turned his bones into metal…just like wolverine. That is where he gets his power from. Better do some bone analysis, normal urine test cannot detect it.
the pacman punches in high volume. any body who has ever been in a gym sparring, no matter what youre size eventually the punches will hurt.
the only person on drugs is paulies hairdresser.
Good read.. very informative..
Nice one Steve Lewis, you just laid this issue to rest.
Well i will say this,the last fighter to move up in weight like that in a yr and a half,and remain as cut as Manny is,was Roy Jones when he went up to the heavyweight division.And we know how that turned out.
Not too long ago, Manny wasn’t even keen on the idea of legal supplements and all those powdered drinks & shakes athletes take…until Alex Ariza came along & convinced him. And as superstitious as he is, he wouldn’t be caught touching illegal PEDs.
yeah, the one biggest thing about roid users is that they become the biggest aholes. Pac is the greatest and most gracious sportsman out there. Also roiders have audacious proportions, something Pac does not have. Hard work, superior mental attitude, inteeligence, and faith in the Almighty is all that is at work here
Another job well done!!!
paulie is just trying to pick a fight with the cash cow in boxing at the moment.
and jealous
and resentful that manny is the smaller and the better
I do not and will not believe this article. I have been watch him for years and he has always been hitting opponents with authority, he most likely was able to keep the sting on his punches cause he has learned or already knew how to put his weight behind his punches.
Steve Lewis is the new point-by-point champion of the world!!! Oh you did not see that coming, huh? It wasn’t only a 1-2 or 1-2-3 combination but it seems that everything that was thrown was just not enough to win the argument! Well done! Take that Pulie Maligant!
malignnagi is just riding the popularity of paquaio like mayweather sr. no one should pay attention to this people.
Barrera 1 in Oct 03 was 125 to 136
Morales 1 in Mar 05 was 130 to 139
Morales 2 in Jan 06 was 129 to 140
Morales 3 in Nov 06 was 129 to 144
Barrera 2 in Oct 07 was 130 to 144
Marquez 2 in Mar 08 was 129 to 146
Diaz in June 08 was 134 to 147
DLH in Dec 08 was 142 to 148.5
Hatton in May 09 138 to 148
Cotto in Nov 14 144 to 149
From marquez to cotto, manny gained 14lbs in 1yr and 8 months. looking at the weigh during his fights, he looks like he is too small for the 130 back in 2006. he’s been tipping the 144+ more than 3 years ago. so it looks like manny is a 140lb fighter who is killing himself to make the 130lbs to fight the 3 great mexicans. when he moved up, his body got better because he’s no longer killing himself anymore. by looking at his “during fight weigh in”. it looks like he only gained 5 lbs in 3 years (144lbs-2006 to 149lbs-present). Cotto looked weak and easy to hurt at 140, but when he moved to 147, his chin got way better and became a better fighter overall. i guess because you’re body is no longer weak in making the weights.
malignnnagi who? this guy’s jealous coz he doesn’t have power, skills and most of all the heart that pacman has. steroids your mouth!
good, cohesive and logical article. Applaud you for your well thought out article unlike hundreds of baseless articles I’ve read on Pacman. It’s exactly his amazing wins going up in weight that makes us consider him to be one of the GOAT. It’s him breaking the typical/usual fighter mode who go up in weight that makes me appreciate what he have accomplished
I dont any other way of dissecting it further.
Ignorants now can now be educated.
Good job
Notice how the boxers who are hungry for the limelight, who needs work, needs press time are the ones who talk about Pacquiao. Once you mention Pacquiao, you’re guaranteed to get instant attention. If these haters and envy-ers mention other boxers name they know nobody will be interested but mention Pacquiao and throw in some baseless claims and they become an instant hit!
his power is very unusual for a man moving up in weight. Doesnt mean hes on steroids. Shane mosley WAS on steroids and his power didnt increase like pacquiaos
Awesome article!!!