“There is not one shred of credible evidence to support USADA’s charges and an unbroken record of more than 500 to 600 clean tests over more than a decade and a half to refute it. In its zeal to punish Lance, USADA has sacrificed the very principles of fair play that it was created to safeguard. “It has compiled a disgraceful record of arrogance ? and contempt for due process.” — LANCE ARMSTRONG’s lawyer Robert Luskin on charges filled by the US Anti-Doping Agency. If there’s one constant theme with zealot Travis Tygart and USADA, it was nicely summarized in the above quote by the attorney for the world’s most famous cyclist. USADA filed charges on Friday, claiming that seven time Tour de France champ Armstrong cheated by using drugs in his sport from 1999 to 2005. Do you know the difference between a USADA probe and the Spanish Inquisition? Neither do I, except I suppose Tygart and his menacing minions do not physically torture anyone. So why is this fight scribe taking to the soapbox on this topic? I thought you would never ask but it’s because every single time I read about the Armstrong allegations and the USADA legal mechanism, I substitute the bike racer’s name for Pinoy Idol Manny Pacquiao. Like Armstrong, Pacman has never failed a single drug test although it’s fair to say that Lance has been subjected to many more than the Filipino fighter has. Personally, I got a lifetime fill of bull in a China shop Tygart when he made his swaggering, overbearing hearing appearance before the Nevada State Athletic Commssion. The pompous lawyer basically told the state boxing board it wouldn’t know a proper, effective drug test from a left hook or a fish hook. Boxing needs to keep Tygart and his drug cops out of our sport and I hope the Voluntary Anti Doping Association, which at least is spearheaded by a true boxing person, ex-Nevada commission Dr. Margaret Goodman, can accomplish that. USADA believes it has Armstrong’s famous head on a silver platter now. Does anyone think USADA would treat Pacquiao or any other high profile boxer more fairly than it seems to be treating top target Armstrong? If so, why? Tygart is a missionary man who labels himself and his agency the friend of “the clean athlete.” Beware of missionary men who may trample due process in their wake. They’ve got Armstrong caught in their grinding gears now. Keeping USADA out of boxing is important. Our sport/business has enough problems as it is without having Tygart and his fellow yahoos in the tent. If Lance is guilty, let the punishment fit the grime, I mean crime. Armstrong sent out a tweet Friday, noting factually that one of the three so-called “independent arbitrators” assigned to his case is about to be sentenced himself for a sex crime. Nice, huh?
If Armstrong does not get a fair shake from Tygart and USADA, then why would anyone expect Pacquiao to get one?
