To bleed, or not to bleed -- is that really the question?
“More like Team Mayweather doth protest too much, methinks,”
said Bob Arum, chairman of Top Rank, the
promoter of seven-division world champion Manny
Pacquiao.
In response to the release sent out Tuesday by Mayweather
Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions which stated that
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao was “in jeopardy,” Arum had the
following to say:
“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.
“Our
suggestion is to utilize any of the independent agencies
that work with the National Football League, the National
Basketball Association or Major League Baseball, since they
administer drug testing for their professional athletes.”
New York-based athletic physician, Dr. Keith Pyne, a private
injury consultant for NFL athletes and those who participate
in running and combat sports, told AOL Fanhouse,
"I have more than 800 guys who are special athletes who are
all drug-tested. And the urine testing is sufficient that
you won't miss anything, especially with
performance-enhancing drugs. So, yes, I believe that the
urine testing is more than sufficient for boxing. If you're
using steroids, it's going to come up for sure in urine.
There's no way it's going to get through the liver and the
kidney without being detected."
“If Mayweather Promotions
and Golden Boy Promotions are sincere in creating “a
level playing field,” as they stated in their release, our
recommendations should put their minds at ease,” said Arum.
“If not, one has to wonder if their motives are more about
leveling the fight.”
