Mayweather says that he’s on an ongoing campaign to clean up the sport of boxing. It’s true that of all sports, boxing is one that should have a zero tolerance policy for performance enhancing drugs.
The point of the game is to land damaging blows to the body and head of your opponent. If a boxer is using a substance that takes him beyond the natural peak of his strength and endurance levels, it creates more than just an unfair advantage. It creates a more dangerous situation for his opponent.
However, there is absolutely no evidence that Pacquiao has ever dabbled with PEDs of any form. In fact, there is plenty of evidence to support the notion that he’s a clean athlete.
Pacquiao has never tested positive for any of the many drug tests he’s undergone, and he now says he’s willing to take random blood tests.
Nick Giongco reported that Pacquiao has stated that he is willing to undergo random blood tests up to 14 days before the fight.
A 14 day cutoff was Team Mayweather’s final offer for the first negotiations. Since that time, Mayweather has reportedly changed his mind.
In February, David Mayo of the Grand Rapids Press reported that Mayweather said he will expect random testing with no cutoff deadline.
Mayweather said:
I gave him a chance, up to 14 days out. But my new terms are all the way up to the fight. They can come get us whenever, all the way up to the fight, random drug test. That?s what it is.
If 14 days was good enough before, why wouldn’t it be good enough now when even more money is likely to be on the table?
(AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Arkansan boxing fans suspect that while Mayweather may still have some tricks up his sleeve, the fight is likely to be made.
John Granados, of Rogers:
I foresee more Mayweather shenanigans, but I think [the fight] will happen.
Jason Harris, of Garfield:
Pure and simple, no excuses. Pac has met his demands, so Mayweather should push to get this deal done.
Cliff Garrigus, of Rogers:
Well let’s see what other garbage [Mayweather] comes up with between now and then. I guess maybe Floyd knows this is the end of his career so he’s hyping it up as much as possible in hopes of a bigger pacheck.
Nobody I’ve talked to is really interested in the random testing per se. They’re interested in seeing the two greatest boxers in the world square off in the ring. It’s as simple as that for most fight fans.
Most likely, the fight will indeed push through.
Pacquiao said early on that he wouldn’t concede to any testing outside of what the boxing commission requires, while Mayweather said he won’t settle for less than random tests all the way up to the fight.
They had to start at the outer ends of the spectrum so that they could meet somewhere in the middle of the two extremes.
In the very unlikely even that Mayweather doesn’t accept Pacquiao’s 14 day offer, something is wrong.
Terribly wrong.
