Hoping the fine folks here can enlighten me on this recent controversy that has shocked the boxing world.

The top two boxers in the world right now are Manny Pacquiao (Philippines) and Floyd Mayweather Jr. (USA).

The last few years has lead them on a path to where they might finally meet in a historic showdown. It was supposed to take place this March, with both men standing to make upwards of 40 Million US. It was expected to be the highest grossing combat sporting evening in history.

It is now dead in the water after both sides got into a huge disagreement over unprecedented (in boxing) testing for performance enhancing drugs.

As the fight was set to take place in Las Vegas, the state of Nevada does a series of tests by taking urine samples. By the sounds of it, it's not very extensive. Regardless, this is the way it's been for some time.

The controversy started when Floyd Mayweather Jr. indirectly accused Manny Pacquiao of being on some kind of performance enhancing drugs.

The general school of thought from Mayweather's fold was that Pacquiao had moved up many weight classes in the last few years, and looks a little too powerful in bringing his power with him. In both taking the punches of larger men, and breaking them down and apart with his own punches.


To make an already long story shorter, the basic problem that ultimately ripped the fight apart was Mayweather insisting Pacquiao (and himself) undergo random olympic style drug testing (to be administered by the USADA) all during training camp, up to and including the day of the fight.

Random blood and urine tests at any time.

Initially Pacquiao refused, saying he did not want to have blood drawn in the days prior to the fight, citing it had happened once in the past and made him feel weak.

In the ensuing weeks they argued back and forth on how the additional testing would be done, and tried to find a "cutoff" date agreeable to both of them where random blood tests would be done all through their training camps, but would stop at some point prior to the fight.

Ultimately, Pacquiao's side dug their heels in at 24 days (saying they would take random blood tests any time during camp right up until 24 days out from fight night. At that point they would still permit urine tests at any time, and would give blood immediately after the fight was over in the dressing room).


Mayweather's side decided on a cutoff date 14 days before the fight and wouldn't budge.

Neither side would budge at that point.

That's where the fight fell apart. With both of then ten days apart.

If you're still reading at this point (thank you)... I'm not looking for opinions on who's at fault or anything like that. (that's all that's going in in boxing circles right now).

As a boxing fan one thing that I can't seem to get a clear answer on is this:


*IF* it was Manny Pacquiao's intention to have a window of opportunity to use some kind of banned substance...

is there anything he would be able to take and significantly benefit from if he started taking it 24 days prior to his fight?

Keep in mind the very important detail that he also agrees to give blood immediately after the fight is over.

So in theory, the fight was to take place on March 13.

Between now and Feb. 24 they can randomly take his blood for testing at any time.

Feb. 24 Manny can no longer be tested.

He fights March 13, and gives a blood test that night.

So in the 24 days between Feb. 24 and March 13: is there anything (in theory) he can take in that 24 day window that would greatly benefit him and that would still be undetectable by the night of the fight?

Alternatively, what about if it was a 14 day window?


Note: that it is not my intention in any way to insinuate that is what Paquiao's motivation is here. I am just asking because if there is genuine concern behind all of this arguing that he is going to be doing something illegal and that's why he's pushing for a window of time to be untested... is there logic / reason behind it? Or is all the arguing unwarranted in the first place if this is the major concern?

So many boxing (and sports) fans are at a loss as to why this was such a huge issue, and some additional understanding about the room there would be for cheating under those proposed dates would sure be enlightening.

Thanks for reading if you made it this far.