Filipino star Manny Pacquiao has given the clearest indication yet that he is willing to compromise over Floyd Mayweather's drug-testing
demands.Pacquiao says he would now be willing to take a blood test 14 days ahead of any fight with his American rival.
"I have agreed to it, but they should not draw much blood," he said.
Negotiations for a bout between the pair fell through earlier this year when the unbeaten Mayweather insisted on Olympic-style random drug testing.
Five-weight world champion Pacquiao said: "They should only take what is necessary for the drug test."The 31-year-old, who previously said he does not like giving blood close to his fights, added: "14 days," when stating the time limit for blood to be taken before the fight.
In the run-up to their aborted March bout, Mayweather called for repeated blood testing up to the day of the fight. Pacquiao, who has never failed a doping test, wanted a 30-day cut-off.
Mayweather later said he agreed to a 14-day cut-off but that Pacquiao would not accept it.
Since then they have faced different opponents, with Mayweather beating Shane Mosley and Pacquiao defeating Joshua Clottey.
A fight between the pair, widely regarded and the two best pound-for-pound boxers in the world, would also likely be the richest in the sport's history, with Las Vegas or Dallas the likely venue.
"He [Mayweather] will no longer have a reason [not to fight]," added Pacquiao. "Let's see if that is really the reason."
Earlier this month, Pacquiao said he would have one last fight after securing a seat in the Philippine Congress by a huge margin.
His chief financial adviser Michael Konzc added that 6 November and 13 November had been set aside as potential dates for his next bout.
If it is not against Mayweather, Mexico's Antonio Margarito is his other likely opponent.
Source: news.bbc.co.uk
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