Just when sensational reports were released doubting the likelihood of the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight of the century will happen, breaking news speculates there is still hope. Pacquiao-Mayweather is NOT over yet folks or so it would seem. Rumors have been swirling that Pacquiao was refusing Olympic style drug testing due to his superstition involving drug testing up to 30 days before a match (See Manny Pacquiao Refuses Drug Testing). Various sources in the boxing world including Floyd Mayweather Sr. have openly accused Manny of partaking in the use of steroids/PEDS due to his historic climb to become one of the only champions to win across multiple classes.
Bob Arum of Top Rank suggested,"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."
This would mean both Floyd and Manny would be subjected to approximately 3 to 5 blood tests and 10 to 12 urine tests. According to Arum, the problem is not in the blood testing itself rather than the frequency and randomness of the scheduling. USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) subjects itself to no one's schedule, taking the liberty to testing randomly at will--a practice Arum calls "ludicrous." An independent company responsible for testing some of the most elite athletes of the NBA, NFL and MLB would be a more flexible option to meet the Mayweather camp's request and provide "reasonable" testing schedule (According to ESPN, Manny's camp is suggesting one given in January during the week the fight is formally announced, one 30 days from the fight, no later than Feb. 13, and the final one immediately following the fight, in Manny's locker room.)
While this may seem more fair and hints at Pacquiao's willingness to compromise, it still places the Filipino with a slight advantage. If the rumors swirling around the pound for pound favorite hold any weight, the gap between testings give him ample opportunity to "prepare" for the desired results each time -- a clean record. Mayweather along with many others in the industry argue that randomness is the factor in the equation that will ensure a fair fight from both parties involved.
One of those key players of the boxing world fighting for the validity of the stiffer drug testing is Leonard Ellerbe, a Mayweather advisor.
"We're sticking to what we've been saying," he said. "Manny Pacquiao or any of his representatives are not going to dictate random testing. That's the whole point of random testing, so you don't get a chance to study for the test. USADA is the premiere agency for doing this, the gold standard. They're not going to have Top Rank, Mayweather Promotions or Golden Boy Promotions dictate to them. It's pretty simple. Manny Pacquiao can put an end to this whole thing by stepping up to the plate and doing this."
