Even though Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been called a chicken for not fighting Manny Pacquiao (and in Michael Irvin’s words, made brothers look bad), the real reason negotiations have always broken down is because Pacquiao would never submit to complete Olympics-style drug testing.
At first, Pacquiao refused to have his blood drawn, citing a fear of needles. Then, his camp said he would submit to a blood test but there had to be a cutoff date prior to the fight (at least 14 days). That’s where most people got the story wrong. Just because Pacquiao was willing to take the blood test doesn’t mean he was open to random testing — his people wanted to have a cutoff date. Apparently that stance has finally changed.
Tucked into Lance Pugmire’s story on Floyd Mayweather Jr., who’s preparing for a September fight with Victor Ortiz, was this important nugget on Pacquiao’s new position.
“Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, says his fighter is willing to accept being subjected to blood testing rules under the World Anti-Doping Agency code, which keeps the blood sample schedule unannounced.”
If that’s the case, then there won’t be any reasons why the fight between the two won’t materialize. I know there’s been some noise about Floyd facing Amir Khan next, but as recently as June Mayweather said he wants Pacquiao after Ortiz.
As long as Pacquiao’s camp sticks to what Arum is saying, there’s no reason for this fight not to happen. The only thing that could ruin it is if either fighter loses. Famous last words, right?
