The blame game from both camps after the negotiation fell apart was particularly disgusting. Mayweather’s camp, not only blamed Pacquiao for the sad dissolution of the negotiation, but went on even further by saying what the Mayweathers believed all along that the Filipino must be on something because he was averse to random blood testing.
But, no matter how preposterous Mayweathers’ accusation towards Pacquiao was, performance enhancing drugs or PEDs and random blood testing are really important subjects worthy of consideration and careful attention by boxing officials because the sport has had PEDs issues since late 1995 when Frans Botha won the vacant IBF heavyweight championship against Germany’s Axel Schulz but was stripped of the title shortly after the fight when the White Buffalo’s urinalysis came out positive for anabolic steroids.
Now, whether or not this costly random blood testing is absolutely necessary in boxing to deter possible offenders from going for the so called “quick fix” and whether or not this method of testing is capable of catching all offenders are interesting topics of discussion. But there is no denying the fact that Shane Mosley (who ironically will face Mayweather this May) and Tommy Morrison, two self-confessed steroids users, somehow managed to get around the dope testing procedure being used by boxing commissions. This gives credence to Mayweather’s recent cry “I want to help to clean up the sport of boxing”.
However, while it is everyone’s responsibility to make sure that the sport is clean, the implementation of illegal drug testing procedures is boxing commission’s responsibility and no one else’s.
I sought the thoughts of some boxing experts concerning this controversial subject. Check out what they had to say.
Adam Pollack, Cyber Boxing Zone
I don't have a problem with rigorous drug testing, certainly not for huge fights where the money is there to do the testing. I think if you win a fight, it should be due to the fact that you are a better fighter, without any cheating. I think history's results have been altered due to cheating, which is not fair to the public, to gamblers, or to the fighter's who lost unfairly. I also think boxing is a pain sport, so there is a safety element. You can get hurt more by a guy who is using illegal substances. A fighter should not have to subject himself to that.
Geoff Poundes, Ringside Report
Boxers should undergo Olympic style, random testing of the most rigorous kind. It’s not good enough that a world-class fighter can pick or choose the type and timing of his tests.
Mark Whicker, Orange County Register
Any type of testing is good.
Amy Green, BoxingInLasVegas
As far as blood testing... normally commission testing is pretty stringent and should be abided by. In the case of Mayweather's requests of Manny Pacquiao, Manny should have gotten the testing. Blood testing, randomly done, I honestly think it depends on the situation.
Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times
Boxing officials should organize and implement any changes, not boxers. Officials make the rules. Boxers follow them or they don't have to box. The entire blood testing thing may be completely silly because, in the history of the drug wars between athletes and enforcers, the athletes and their pharmacists are always two steps ahead. We have no idea what jock is taking what to enhance what at this very moment, although we'll find out about it three years from now.
Thomas Hauser, SecondsOut
My thoughts on PED testing are contained in a recent article I wrote for Secondsout.com.
Frank Lotierzo, The Sweet Science
They should be done universally - but that's not likely to happen. However - it's still yet to be proven where HGH/PEDs have transformed a good fighter into a great fighter. It's a myth.
Tony Nobbs, Eastside Boxing
Yes, I think that boxing commissions should implement random blood testing because the way it is now is not tough enough. A guy knows when he's getting tested, so he just works around it. In athletics or swimming, you cheat, you win gold, but in boxing, you cheat, someone can get seriously hurt.
Matthew Goldstein, Boxing Talk
Any drug testing that will catch more PED's is good drug testing. The question should really be "why shouldn't they add more drug testing?"
Chris Ackerman, Doghouse Boxing
That was just a reason for Floyd to get out of the fight with Pacquaio. That being said, the drug testing in professional sports is a joke. But if we are talking about pre-fight testing, we should talk about day-before weigh-ins too.
Michael Rosenthal, Ring Magazine
The sport needs effective drug testing but there are problems with oversight and finances. Who would pay for it?
TP Walker, Eastside Boxing
Boxing preaches natural building of strength through regimens of repetitious punches, push ups, sit ups, jumping rope, etc. Still, we are not immune as a sport to the pressures of the quick fix. I think we need it, but I’m interested to see if it is something that becomes closer to the norm. One thing not being mentioned is the fact that those tests are not cheap. Mayweather, Mosley, and Pacquiao can afford it, but what about the local club promoter who only profits a few thousand bucks on a show? Can he afford it?
Ramon Aranda, 411mania
I like the idea of random blood testing, but NO fighter should take it upon himself to try and institute it.
Brandon Estrict, Doghouse Boxing
The testing done by boxing commissions now is a joke, for the most part. They should stand up and implement stricter drug testing now that it's come to light. It's the right thing to do.
Tony Penecale Jr, Fight News Unlimited
I think a can of worms has been opened. I put the majority of the blame on Floyd Mayweather Sr and Roger Mayweather who started with the allegations against Manny Pacquiao. While I criticize Pacquiao for avoiding the tests, I am especially critical of both Senior Mayweathers for their unfound and character-damaging allegations. Both of them are mean-spirited and egotistical and can't stand that there is another fighter getting the glory right now. I was on a conference call with Freddie Roach and Floyd Mayweather Sr last spring hyping the Pacquiao-Hatton fight. Floyd Sr called Pacquiao "a bum" and predicted an easy victory for Ricky. The steroid accusation is another way for him to try and save face. I think all blood doping tests should be requested and handled by the commission.
Jim Amato, DM Boxing
I am TOTALLY against random drug testing. Let the commissions do their job...
Springs Toledo, The Sweet Science
This is a leading question. I do NOT believe that Roach/Pacquiao had any obligation to pay homage to the demands of the Mayweathers. I do, however, believe that boxing has an obligation to its fans, its history, and especially its practitioners to implement an authentic policy of random drug testing with serious consequences attached.
Ronan Keenan, The Sweet Science
Yes, in light of recent events, more stringent drug testing is needed to aid the credibility of boxing.
Don Stewart, Reading Eagle
I believe drug screening needs to become more of a priority in boxing, both for the safety of the fighters and for the integrity of the sport. I also feel that this issue gives us another example of why we need a national boxing commission in the United States. Drug testing policy varies fight to fight, state to state, country by country. We need a uniform approach to drug testing.
Michel Joseph, Boxing Talk
I think athletes compete, promoters promote, managers manage, trainers and coaches train and teach, and sports organizations and governing bodies worry about creating rules and regulations, and ensuring that all rules and regulations are complied with. Mayweather believes that improvements could be made to ensure to a greater degree a level playing field - it's hard to argue with that. However, it is not his place to attempt to enforce this opinion or conclusion by taking it upon himself to play a role which he is not entitled to play. His role is to fight, and it's the role of his handlers to ensure that their fighter get's a fair fight, with fair judges and referees, and that the fighters face each other on an even playing field.
Pacquiao has never failed a drug test, and there is no historic evidence to suggest that he is or ever has been juicing. Why should he have to be put under the gun then? It might be a different story if Pacquiao had previously been caught using steroids, but that's simply not the case.
Regarding the failed fight negotiations, I would not want my fighter to be forced to give blood while in the dressing room, changing and getting his hands wrapped in order to go out and perform. So, in that sense yes, I think there certainly should have been a cut-off date. How far away from the fight? I don't know, that's something that Roach and Pacquiao should be able to determine, based upon their knowledge of how long it takes Pacquiao to perform at 100% following a blood test. It's hard to see how he would need two weeks - and again that's if he's having a needle stuck and blood drawn - I would think his recovery time would be even faster if he was simply receiving a "prick" test on his finger. Either way, it's a shame this fight is not happening now, and I hope it still has a chance to happen before the year's out.
Paul H. Burbridge, Eastside Boxing
This is a very controversial subject and there are so many different implications that you have to be somewhat careful on how you answer. I do think random blood testing is necessary in professional boxing given the nature of modern sports and the fact that some athletes will do whatever it takes to get an edge including taking illegal substances. Now, I wish the world wasn’t this way but it is and I think all boxing needs is a ring fatality where the guy delivering the fatal shots is later found to be on some kind of PED. We cannot allow that to happen! Now, in the case of Mayweather vs Pacquiao I have mixed feelings because of my fondness for Pacquiao and my belief that this could have been handled more appropriately. This is an ugly situation one in which both parties acted incorrectly, the Mayweather camp for making an accusation without any proof and the Pacquiao camp for denying fans this fight on that basis. I’m concerned that Manny has left the door wide open for much of the speculation you now read and believe that the only legitimate way to dispel all of this is to take the test. It’s the only way to quiet people down. I believe in him so I do think he will eventually go through with these tests but under very different circumstances of course.
In terms of the boxing establishment, they need to do whatever is in the best interests of fighter safety so mandatory random blood tests are crucial regardless of the financial component. There is no dollar amount that is greater than a life so I think it will eventually become the norm in the next few years. But, there will be a lot of grumbling before that happens.
David Greisman, BoxingScene
The testing being done isn't enough, from what I've read. But the testing being done in most sports isn't enough. The question becomes whether we feel it necessary to become paranoid and accusatory, to suspect that everyone deserves to be treated as if they are racing in the Tour de France, whether they must provide daily schedules for where they are and always be available for any and every kind of tests. Who will pay for such a thing? How will we keep the requirements uniform? Perhaps the use of performance enhancing drugs is more prevalent than we know. I can't claim to know. But if so, it's not as obvious as it was to those who turned a blind eye to the use of steroids in baseball.
Igor Frank, Burbank Times
Boxers should box and commissions should institute policies with drug testing. That is all there is to it.
Charles White, Eastside Boxing
I tend to think that this is a good idea, just so long as blood is not taken too close to fight time.
Frank Gonzalez Jr., BraggingRightsCorner
Taking Performance Enhancing Drugs (PED's) to have an edge in sports is cheating.
There should be random drug testing in boxing and it should be administered in a manner that assures that when two fighters step into the ring, both are clean. Today's pharmaceutical companies are capable of producing nearly undetectable performance enhancing drugs and do so with limited regulations (since big pharma companies bankroll a dominating percentage of our political system). Random testing should produce real results, unlike what we see today, which basically facilitates the use of PEDs (performance enhancing drugs).
Random drug testing is the way to insure that today's athletes, in whatever the sport, are coming in clean. If they are using performance enhancers, they should be suspended, lose their rankings and license and only be able to come back on parole like conditions. Their promoters should be fined and suspended from promoting fights for a year if their charges are caught using PEDs. Institute THAT...and watch how fast things change. But...since there is no legit governing body in boxing, the problem is difficult to tackle. It’s usually only the financially successful athletes that can afford these expensive treatments anyway but its a deal with the devil either way, since PED's will inevitably take a toll on the users long term health. In the interest of good sportsmanship, safety and long term health, the use of PED's should be eradicated from sports.
Surely there are benefits to be extracted from a technology that enables enhanced human strength, power and durability. But it has no place in sports. But who knows, maybe the big pharma companies are using sports as a testing grounds for future endeavors, which is a scary but realistic thought.
Sports should be the one place in the world where honest competition still exists.
(Thanks to the above experts for sharing their thoughts - Marshall N. B., marx7204@lycos.com)
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if you cannot find a solution to the problem of drug testing, just be strict with your punitive measures. anyone found positive with any performance enhancing drugs shall be banned forever.
ReplyDeletedefinitely, one of the most beautiful blogs i've read for a long time. keep them coming.
ReplyDeleteWith the recent issue in the use of PEDs in boxing, it is high time for the Boxing Commissions to institute improved measures to test boxers. I think Floyd's concern is valid and so he should show to the world his sincerity in his crusade by being the first person to put up good amount of money he earned in his boxing career to improve the current drug testing system in boxing. Perhaps, other boxers and the boxing world will follow sought.
ReplyDelete