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Fox Sports: "Zach Arnold's Fight Opinion site is one of the best spots on the Web for thought-provoking MMA pieces."

« | Home | »

Mayweather camp wants Pacquiao to do a blood test for doping

By Zach Arnold | December 22, 2009

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What a fascinating tactic by Floyd Mayweather’s camp here — ask for the kind of strict drug testing that you normally don’t see for big fights. If Pacquiao accepts, then whatever paranoia Mayweather’s camp has about drug usage is gone. If Pacquiao refuses, then Mayweather doesn’t have to fight and can use the drug test refusal on moral grounds to back him up and make Pacquiao look like a cheater.

Head games…

Side note — wonder how Keith Kizer’s feeling right about now? His “business as usual” record so far as head of the NSAC has been scrutinized and now Mayweather’s camp wants drug testing outside of the “business as usual” NSAC-level (urine) drug testing. We know the various issues about the NSAC and drug testing in the past couple of years already, especially in regards to consistency and the out-of-competition policy…

Topics: Boxing, Media, Zach Arnold | 38 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

38 Responses to “Mayweather camp wants Pacquiao to do a blood test for doping”

  1. 45 Huddle says:

    Kizer and the NSAC come out as basically a non-issue here.

    1) Has a location even been decided on yet? If not, this does not concern Nevada.

    2) People will not look at this issue and think about the athletic commissions. They will look at it as another way for Mayweather to get out of a fight.

    If anything, this looks bad on Mayweather and nobody else.

  2. Zach Arnold says:

    1) Has a location even been decided on yet? If not, this does not concern Nevada.

    It will be the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

    2) People will not look at this issue and think about the athletic commissions. They will look at it as another way for Mayweather to get out of a fight.

    If anything, this looks bad on Mayweather and nobody else.

    You’re right, which is what I stated up above.

    That said, anyone who puts 2 + 2 together can figure out what Mayweather’s camp is implying — that NSAC drug tests aren’t strong enough for them. Do you deny what the implication being made here is?

  3. ttt says:

    [quote]Mayweather responded, “It is our responsaibility to subject ourselves to sportsmanship at the highest level.”[/quote]

    LOL

  4. dyno says:

    Zach, why not just come out and say Money is accusing Paq of blood doping, something BJ Penn said of GSP. Something that’s been said of Randy Couture.

    As far as a liability aspect (ie. Ibarra and his actions vs a blogger) couldn’t you say what others are saying/thinking without repercussion?

    There are many times you eluded to things, or imply things that not only go over my head but I am sure it goes over a lot of others as well.

    Hell maybe I read to much inbetween the lines with your articles.

  5. Fluyid says:

    They keep trying to outdo each other with these tactics.

    As long as they fight…

  6. Chuck O. says:

    This is just another ridiculous hurdle for this fight to take place. If either fighter wins and is later caught doping, it’s a Pyrrhic victory. And if the loser was doping, then it will be like De la Hoya vs. Vargas all over again. The Mayweather camp should just stop the nonsense.

  7. Chris says:

    I have no problem with Mayweather requesting the test. As long as he is willing to subject himself to the same test. If the reults for both fighters come back clean, then we have our Megafight.

  8. jr says:

    Floyd Mayweather has runaway bride eyes

  9. dyno says:

    Sounds like Money is scared, imo.
    In the wise words of Nick Diaz “Don’t be scared homie. Don’t be scared.

  10. Fluyid says:

    He’s in no way scared. His side is just making up some bullshit to counter Pacquiao’s latest bunch of bullshit, which was a request for something like $10 million if Mayweather misses weight.

  11. 45 Huddle says:

    The weight thing is actually legit. Mayweather had an allowance for his last fight, and took full advantage of it. The entire point of Manny’s demands are that you must not use the small dollar penalty as a way to come in at a higher weight. By making it really high, Floyd is forced to cut the weight properly.

  12. Chuck says:

    Does Floyd want testing for blood doping and EPO? EPO you can detect, but blood doping and/or blood packing? Good luck! The only sure fire way you can detect someone is blood doping/packing is if you catch the person in the act. Or if they drop dead at the age of 30. If someone has more than the average amount of red blood cells in their system, can you really suspend them or fine them or whatever? He can just claim that he trains a lot in the mountains. Or that he sleeps in one of those high altitude machines.

    If this was an HGH issue (or EPO as I mentioned) then Pacquiao can be fucked if it’s true that he does either EPO or HGH.

  13. Brad Wharton says:

    @ Fluyid: Expecting PBF to come in at the contracted weight is bullshit?

    We know a financial slap on the wrists is not a deterent for Mayweather, so I don’t see an issue with the weight thing at all.

    At the same time, while unusual, I don’t have a problem with the bloods request either, as long as both guys do it. If you’ve nothing to hide, whats the issue?

  14. Fluyid says:

    This fight is to be at the welterweight limit of 147 and not some catchweight.

  15. Alan Conceicao says:

    I know the natural expectation from a lot of people is that Floyd is trying to get out of this fight, but its the fight he “came back” for, assuming you really think he was truly retired in the first place. I think he’s trying to get as much out of the negotiations as he possibly can, and if the decision is that the fight is “off”, they’ll be back at the table within a couple days (or weeks at most) working out a new deal.

    But there is absolutely no way whatsoever that Mayweather is going to turn down the money for this fight.

  16. sammy says:

    Mayweather is scared…period.

  17. A. Taveras says:

    Mayweather knows how to make headlines as well as he knows how to box. Beyond his publicity-mongering it seems to me an entirely legitimate demand, on that Manny and co should be happy to oblige in order to end these rumors.

  18. 45 Huddle says:

    “If this was an HGH issue (or EPO as I mentioned) then Pacquiao can be fucked if it’s true that he does either EPO or HGH.”

    I would be shocked if Manny wasn’t on something. Just like I would be suprised if over 50% of the Top 10 MMA guys weren’t one something illegal either.

  19. Detective Roadblock says:

    Floyd did a good job getting the fight some headlines here. It’s on the ESPN homepage.

    I think the main thing here is Floyd trying to take advantage of a superstitious guy from the Phillippines. He’s trying to get an edge.

  20. liger05 says:

    I really dont see why Roach and Arum got a problem. Random tests done during the last 30 days before the fight for both fighters should be fine.

    I cant buy the talk from roach where he claims taking blood from pacman will weaken him.

    How much blood does he think they take, a pint? Jersey holders in the Tour de France have blood tests every day for three weeks!

    Arum says Blood testing is irrelevant but thats not correct is it?

    Are not all the latest PEDs are detected using blood, not urine. EPO, CERA, HGH, autologous blood transfusions… all done with blood testing.

  21. Fluyid says:

    “Floyd did a good job getting the fight some headlines here. It’s on the ESPN homepage.”

    Bingo! I’d say they all have done a good job in that regard.

    I don’t know how or if that translates into more PPV buys and therefore more money, but I guess it somehow does.

  22. sammy says:

    The point is it is a ridiculous request and no boxer has ever been subjected to that type of testing before.

    Its just another hurdle Mayweather is putting up for the fight to happen. I know he is mostly doing it just for publicity and to play mindgames, but if he just signed the contract we would have a fight scheduled.

    I dont see Pacquiao making any outrageous demands..he just wants to fight. Why should Pacquiao make any kind of concession?? Its not like he has ever tested positive for anything or been suspected of anything. Its a request from way out in left field and is pure crap.

  23. Jeremy (not that Jeremy) says:

    If Pac refuses to take the two week and the post fight blood tests, then I’d be intensely suspicious of him.

    The comparative blood tests are the most important tool for detecting doping. It would be better to take one six months out too, but that’s not happening.

    He can chalk it up to any excuse he wants to (religious reasons, fear of needles whatever), but at the end it comes down to: was asked to prove that he’s not doping and refused to take the opportunity.

  24. 45 Huddle says:

    Headlines like this aren’t always good. It can frustrate people with a sport that is already frustrating to them. It’s hard to say which way public opinion will go… But there is a fine line between getting publicity for your fight and just making it seem like too many politics are involved and having people just get too annoyed.

    Either way, I’m ordering this PPV. Will be the first boxing PPV I order in a long time. This should be a great fight.

  25. Fluyid says:

    “But there is a fine line between getting publicity for your fight and just making it seem like too many politics are involved and having people just get too annoyed.”

    +1

    (if “+1” means that I agree)

  26. You guys don’t think Floyd has the right to make sure his opponent is drug free?

  27. 45 Huddle says:

    I think it’s all about public perception. It is not going to be perceived that Floyd is doing this for the good of the sport or for fairness. It just comes off as another way to avoid the fight.

    To my knowledge, Floyd has never requested this of any of his other opponents… Which just further’s that public perception. And as a high level athlete, he absolutely should know that many guys take stuff. To now make this request for the one guy people think can beat him…. Makes him look weak.

    From a pure sporting perspective…. In a perfect world I would like to see no drugs in sports. But I’m not stupid. I am one of those sports fans that wants to see some sort of drug testing, and a fighter comes up clean, I pretend they are….

  28. A. Taveras says:

    If half of ESPN’s audience just grumbled to themselves that Mayweather is a coward looking for an out, that is half a million more people who might pay because they want to see him beat. Count me in the other half (third? less?) of the public who are glad to see Mayweather take a stand against doping, even if it is only for his own selfish reasons.

  29. A. Taveras says:

    half a million… half an audience..whatever the ESPN # is!

  30. Robert Poole says:

    I have no problem with drug testing Manny or Floyd for that matter to make sure everyone’s clean. The issue here is Top Rank has agreed to reasonable time tables and Floyd wants more just to have wiggle room if he wants to escape this fight.

    Also my concerns are that they are trying to imply Manny is going to cheat even if he is not. Not unlike the other Tour De France participants did for years to Lance Armstrong and now it dogs him to this day and de-legitimizes him to a lot of people.

    That ultimately is Floyd’s goal. Manny wins, and whether or not he was clean the doubt was created and it will dog him. And the Floyd’s loss is illegitimate.

    Karl Rove always had a theory that you accuse people of something incredible and make them deny it and then the media will force them to talk about it until it sticks.

    That is the thinking of Floyd here.

    Here’s the Top Rank statement on the timetables they agree to:

    http://www.boxinginsider.com/headlines/top-rank-statement-on-mayweather-pacquiao/

    Rp

  31. Fluyid says:

    “Arum says the testing dispute can be “rectified” if Team Mayweather will allow testers who conduct drug tests in professional sports, including the NFL and Major League Baseball, to handle the testing.

    “We’re not using an amateur organization for amateur athletes,” Arum said.”

    LOL, say what?

  32. Chuck says:

    “I dont see Pacquiao making any outrageous demands..he just wants to fight.”

    Wrong. Pacquiao wants to make it that if Mayweather (and himself, his people emphasized that) has to pony up $10,000,000 (yes, that is ten million) for each pound over the contractually agreed upon weight. That is more of a ridiculous demand than what Floyd wants.

  33. Tomer Chen says:

    Given that Floyd (intentionally) missed the 144 catchweight against Marquez in his last fight by 2 pounds, it’s actually an extremely reasonable demand. Just like it would be reasonable to put a clause fining Jose Luis Castillo heavily for every pound he misses given the Corrales II & III weigh-ins or demand checking Antonio Margarito’s wraps personally given the plaster-like subtance found after the Mosley fight.

    This is simple head games by Mayweather as well as a psychological cushion in case he gets (T)KOd that “Hey, they didn’t test Manny enough so he must have cycled just right!” or an ‘out’ in the very worst scenario that it all collapses (which I doubt because I see it as headgames given that Manny never tested positive and, as mentioned before, Mayweather never pushed the strict testing angle on his other opponents).

  34. 45 Huddle says:

    620,000 PPV Buys for UFC 107 according to Dave Meltzer.

    And both the WEC and Strikeforce both got between 300,000 and 400,000 viewers for their shows. I see a lot of people online talking about how this is somehow a victory for either organization based on some rationalized criteria. I think it is a failure for BOTH companies. Those audiences are so small that neither company can really do much with it….

  35. Alan Conceicao says:

    Good number for a good show. The Strikeforce show is in line with expectations, and the WEC show is, by far, their worst performance to date. I’d say there’s a difference in terms of what they mean.

  36. Tomer Chen says:

    Honestly, Arum should say “So long as both sides get blood drawn when a random test happens, fine. That way, any effects from the blood withdrawal will not benefit one side to the others detriment.”

  37. david m says:

    I had a feeling that 107 was going to do 600+ because BJ is a fucking superstar. I think Mir’s trash talking and the beef with him and Kongo at the weighins helped convince people who otherwise would have remained on the fence and not ordered it.

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