Manny Pacquiao, the welterweight champion of the world has amazed people with his strength and power. He has packed on muscle to conquer other weight divisions and seems superhuman to most that watch him in the ring, including Floyd Mayweather, JR. Today, we learned that Manny Pacquiao has refused blood testing 30 days prior to the fight, stating that he had “difficulty taking blood” that close to the fight. Manny agreed to have his blood tested but not that close to the event.
Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, stated that “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,” he noted. “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.”
Floyd Mayweather, JR., when contacted, stated that: “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.”
This is a mega fight with a lot of money to be made and like any other business deal of this magnitude; you are going to have bumps in the road. Up until now, the bumps in the road were minor, all things considered, but this allegation of steroid use could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
Pacquiao is not the only fighter accused of this. Larry Holmes once accused Evander Holyfield of using steroids, a charge that was never verified. James “Lights Out” Toney, after defeating WBA Heavyweight Champion John Ruiz and capturing the gold, tested positive for steroids. He would deny the charge but later quietly refuse another drug test. He would test positive again and be banned from the sport for a brief period of time.
Shane Mosley was buried in controversy surrounding steroid use. In 2003, he took on Oscar De La Hoya in a rematch and won on the cards, but it would later come out that he was on what is referred to as “the clear,” a designer performance enhancing drug. Mosley would deny knowingly taking this, but others have come out to refute his claims. His bout with Antonio Margarito, and Margarito’s loaded gloves made the public forget about Mosley and the steroid abuse, but it should be noted that he was accused and then proceeded to swear under oath that he injected himself with them prior to the bout with Oscar De La Hoya.
Roy Jones, JR., has been accused, Tommy Morrison has come out and admitted that he used steroids, which may have explained his freakish strength and power. It is something that boxing and other sports take very seriously. Baseball was plagued by a steroid scandal and many dismiss the current breaking of records due to the drugs being used to achieve these goals.
What does this all mean for Manny Pacquiao and the March 13th super fight?
It could mean a great deal. Floyd Mayweather, JR., is looking for every edge he can, both in the specifics of the fight, but also the mental warfare aspect of it. Thus far, nobody has been able to get into the head of Pacquiao. Outside distractions have not changed what he is in the ring. In fact, he has gotten much better, but Floyd and his boisterous ways at press conferences have taken effect on some of his opponents. He mocks them and irritates them, usually getting right into their faces and begins ranting. That may not be seen as a feasible tactic here, although we will see it if the fight makes it beyond this point. Steroid abuse allegation is a very serious charge and if it is a ploy from Floyd, it is in very bad taste and begins to create a dark cloud around what is expected to be a historic fight.
I have said before that there is far too much money to be made with this fight for it to be cancelled, but if there is a chance, it lies here. If Manny refuses to take the tests demanded by the USADA, then he may not be allowed to box. He may have to bite the bullet and prove that he is clean for the payday and the chance to prove that he is the best in the business.
Should he refuse and move on and away from Floyd, expect Manny’s star to dim, as he goes after a boxer like Yuri Foreman or a Joshua Clottey. This is the first time during the negotiations of this fight where the ball is in Manny’s court in a big way. He may have some legitimate concern over having blood drawn so close to the fight and that it may sap his strength. Let’s hope that is the reason why he is not interested in taking the test.
So here we go people. It’s another chapter in the ongoing negotiations of this super fight. I believe that we will see Manny abide by the regulations, take and pass the test, and then proceed to go head to head with Floyd Mayweather, JR. The worst thing in the world right now for boxing fans would be if Pacquiao came back positive for steroids. In the wake of the Antonio Margarito plaster incident and the rash of bad boxing decisions, this would be a huge blow to the boxing audience. Manny is the biggest star in boxing and it would be a shame if there were any cheating involved along the way.
Stay tuned to RSR for the most up to date and accurate reports surrounding this fight and the continued negotiations.
