Xylocaine Not Prohibited By USADA -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

The painkiller, Xylocaine, sometimes used by fighters to numb their hands against the pain of constant punching, is not on the United States Anti Doping Agency's list of prohibited substances, according to a top official with that organization.

"It's a common local anesthesia, and it's not prohibited," said Travis Tygart, chief executive of the USADA. "It's perfectly allowable to take under the World Anti-Doping Agency's program."

Tygart's organization has been brought in to administer Olympic style, random drug testing for both blood and for urine for the May 1 clash betgween 38-year-old WBA welterweight (147 pounds) titlist Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 knockouts) and 33-year-old challenger Floyd Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) that is slated for the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

"If either one of these fighters tests positive in our tests prior to the fight, the fight will be off," said Tygart, "and that will be announced, and everybody will know."

Mayweather has reportedly used Xylocaine in the past for brittle knuckles, but apparently has not used it for years. That situation has been remedied by hand-wrapping guru, Rafael Garcia, who was known for his work with "The Hands Of Stone," Roberto Duran.

Garcia joined Mayweather's camp not long after 2002, when the figher often complained of weak tendons.

Also known as Lidocaine, Xylocaine is not listed as being illegal by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, but the NSAC ruled that it was not going to allow Mayweather to use it prior to his December, 2007, knockout of Ricky Hatton at the MGM.

Tygart said that Mayweather and Mosley have been tested by officials assigned to administer the procedures. Last week, Mosley told FanHouse that he already had been tested twice.

"Their reactions to the process has been outstanding, even though there are some mild inconviences to it," said Tygart. "But those mild inconveniences are well worth the upside of having confidence that you're going to go into a fight where it's going to be based on your athletic ability and nothing else and not what somebody is being able to do covertly from their chemist or their drug dealer."

Tygart said that Mayweather and Mosley were briefed, early on, concerning what over-the-counter medications can lead to "dirty" or positive results.

In addition, the fighters were asked about, and, advised concerning what current medications they may or may not be taking that could do the same.

"That's part of the education we had for them was to say, 'Look, tell us all of the medication that you're taking currently for ailments, and we'll make sure that those are fine. And we'll get you permission to use those," said Tygart.

"What's critically important is having clear rules and a system in place to enforce those rules. Any legitimate medication that someone can take, whether it's for asthma, like the enhalers, that are perscribed, those are perfect allowable if you have the right conditions to use them and you've been given advance notice of that," said Tygart.

Tygart said that the fighters "have internet access and a toll free number that is manned by a pharmacist basically 24-7, so there is no excuse."

"If you get sick, or you have a stomach cramp, or whatever it might be, here's the 800 number and just have have somebody call us or you call us and find out if it's something you can take or not. And here's the list of everything that's not allowed," said Tygart.

"At the end of the day, all athletes, including these two, have access to real-time information as to whether I can take this over the counter nasal spray or over the counter cold medicine," said Tygart, "and they have a responsibility of finding that out before they take it."

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com