Two years ago, no one would have predicted that Manny Pacquiao could move up in weight, and seemingly get better. It’s the thing that fairy tales are made of. Which is why Manny Pacquiao’s story has been so enticing. He has made the impossible seem possible.
The recent posturing over drug testing in the negotiations for Pacquiao’s next fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. have cast a cloud of doubt over Pacquiao’s legacy. It hasn’t started storming yet, and there is a great possibility that all this could just blow over, but the skies are suddenly not so sunny.
Pacquiao began his career in 1995 and weighed in at 106 pounds. He won his first world title in 1998 at 112 pounds. Manny’s exciting style endeared him to fans as he became a must-see fighter in the mid-2000s. Manny took on the best boxers the 130-pound division had to offer: Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera. He seemed to fear no one and was constantly driven by the next challenge.
Since 2008, Manny Pacquiao has fought at 135 lbs, 140 lbs, and 147 lbs. He has maintained his power without losing any of his speed. He was able to take the best shots from bigger men like Oscar De La Hoya and Miguel Cotto, even though Pacquiao has been no stranger to the canvas in the past. He’s been knocked out twice and been knocked down or staggered by fighters such as Juan Manuel Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera. So how is it that Pacquiao can move up in weight and only seem to get better?
Floyd Mayweather’s team believe they have the answer.
The Mayweather camp is insisting that both men subject themselves to Olympic-style drug testing overseen by the United States Anti-Doping Agency. Mayweather’s father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., has accused Manny of using illegal substances even though Manny Pacquiao has never failed a drug test.
The urine tests issued by boxing commissions don’t detect everything. Shane Mosley admitted to injecting himself with EPO, a performance-enhancing drug linked to endurance, to a grand jury during the BALCO trial in 2003. Shane Mosley did not fail his drug tests issued by the boxing commission.
The Steroid Era of Major League Baseball has proven that countless offenders can pass a drug test. Baseball players from Jose Canseco to Alex Rodriguez have admitted to using illegal substances, although neither were suspended for failing a drug test.
Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, had the following to say regarding the issue of drug testing for the fight:
“Let’s be very clear on the real issues we differ on. It’s not about being tested. Manny is onboard with that since it’s such a major concern of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. It’s about who does the testing and the scheduling of the procedures. Manny will submit to as many random urine tests requested. Regarding the blood tests, he will subject himself to three tests; one given in January during the week the fight is formally announced, one thirty days from the fight, no later than February 13, and the final one immediately following the fight, in Manny’s locker room. The major issue related to the testing rests with which independent agency will administer these tests. The United States Anti Doping Agency (USADA) cannot do it because they will not amend its procedures to accommodate the blood testing schedule we have outlined. USADA, under its guidelines, would have the right to administer random blood tests as many times as they want up to weigh-in day and that is ludicrous.”
This is paranoia at its finest. Mayweather believes Pacquiao is on the juice even though he’s never failed a drug test. Pacquiao believes a tablespoon of blood taken less than 48 hours before his fight will weaken him. Arum believes an athlete should be able to set the dates for his own drug test.
Bob Arum is simply doing what a boxing promoter does. He’s looking out for his own man’s best interests. If Arum was representing Floyd in this fight, then he would be touting the legitimacy of the USADA and claiming that Pacquiao must have something to hide if he doesn’t want to submit to their tests.
Everyone is wrong here, but Mayweather’s demands are the least ridiculous.
Mayweather realizes that Pacquiao has never failed a drug test, so he wants an outside agency to handle the testing. He recommends the USADA, which can offer the most comprehensive tests to ensure both men are clean for the fight. Pacquiao has refused, citing superstition as his reasoning for backing out of a fight that is estimated to earn him $30 million.
Most people would throw a black cat through a mirror while walking under a ladder for $30 million. It’s absurd to think that this is the reason that the fight may not happen. And if you are on the side that thinks Paqcuiao is taking illegal substances, this only adds fuel to your fire.
Pacquiao demanded Mayweather pay $10 million for every pound he comes in over the weight limit, should Mayweather come in heavy for the fight. The monetary value is arbitrary. Its intent is to keep Floyd from coming in overweight and it is a just demand. Mayweather should not be allowed to come in over the contractual weight limit. Pacquiao’s camp made the provisions they felt were necessary to keep the fight on an even level, no matter how ludicrous it sounds.
Mayweather’s camp feels that Pacquiao may not be a drug-free fighter so they recommend the USADA conduct the drug tests. It seems far less ludicrous than $10 million per pound, yet it is the one roadblock separating Pacquiao-Mayweather from becoming Pacquiao-Malignaggi.
If Pacquiao has something to hide, then this fairy tale we’ve been watching for the last two years comes to a tragic end.
