By now you probably know the story well, even though it’s only just surfaced. The day before Floyd Mayweather’s bout with Manny Pacquiao, the P4P King received an injection mix of saline and vitamins, despite it being banned under WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) rules.
Mayweather denies any wrongdoing, as does the USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) who adheres to WADA guidelines and oversaw the boxers leading up to the ‘Fight of the Century’. In addition to reminding the public he is a strong advocate for fair play and drug testing in boxing in a recent statement, Mayweather also said:
“As already confirmed by the USADA statement, I did not commit any violations of the Nevada or USADA drug testing guidelines. … I am very proud to be a clean athlete and will continue to champion the cause.”
Mayweather and Pacquiao signed a contract with the USADA, which did allow for TUE (therapeutic use exemptions). So what’s ruffling everyone’s feathers, then? The problem is that the USADA only officially issued Mayweather’s exemption for the IV use a whole three weeks after the fight.
And it gets a little ‘odder’. The USADA didn’t notify the NSAC (Nevada State Athletic Commission) and Pacquiao’s team when Mayweather received the IV, and only after it was finally ‘granted’. And Bob Bennett, the NSAC executive director, didn’t take the news well. Why? Because only the NSAC can give the green light for TUE – not a drug testing body like the USADA.
“Although Mr. Mayweather’s application was not approved until after his fight with Mr. Pacquiao and all tests results were reported, Mr. Mayweather did disclose the infusion to USADA in advance of the IV being administered to him,” the USADA said in a statement. “Furthermore, once the TUE was granted, the NSAC and Mr. Pacquiao were immediately notified even though the practice is not prohibited under NSAC rules.”
OK, moving on. So what was in the injection exactly? According to Mayweather’s medical team, a mix of 250ml saline and multivitamins and a 500ml mix of saline and vitamin C. It was administered for Mayweather’s rehydration purposes following the Mayweather vs Pacquiao 24-hour weigh-in.
Moreover, the act of administering the mixtures through the vein is prohibited. Or, more specifically, no more than 50ml can be administered per six hours – unless received in the course of hospital admissions, surgical procedures or clinical investigations.
OK, so too much was given? And…? Well, the big problem is the reason ‘why’ the WADA bans such large injections. And that reason is: they can be used to ‘mask’ or ‘dilute’ the presence of ‘another substance’.
Pacquiao and his team haven’t responded well to the controversial news. Pacquiao, who lost a Unanimous Decision to Mayweather, was denied an injection for a legal painkiller (Toradol) to ease his injured shoulder on fight night. Which yeah, seems a little strange. Pacquiao had surgery on what then turned into a torn rotator cuff after the fight.
“I find it ironic,” Michael Koncz, Pacquiao’s advisor, told ESPN. “We tried to get an injection that was totally legal before the fight and the commission slams us and then this thing with Mayweather happens. We need to fight in Vegas again so I don’t want to make many more comments but it is unusual and it was never disclosed to us until quite a ways after the fight.”
Top Rank Chief and Pacquiao promoter, Bob Arum, also felt a bitter taste in his mouth:
“USADA has a lot of explaining to do,” Arum told ESPN. “When we learned about this I was outraged. But I can’t just bay at the moon. What legal redress do we have? I have the information, our lawyers got it, but what were we supposed to do with it? Ask for the decision to be reversed? I really think people have to look closely at USADA and investigate what’s going on with them.”
Arum also commented that he initially didn’t disclose the news of the TUE because he was bound by a confidentiality clause in the contract he signed with Mayweather. However, once the news became public, Arum decided to open up.
“Our lawyers told us that the information tramsmitted to us was confidential and we were not allowed to disseminate it, so based on that advice we said nothing [until it came out],” Arum said.
Whatever your opinion on Mayweather and Pacquiao and their May encounter, you have to wonder if their fight has done any good for boxing at all. The monetary record-breaking fight, which had been in negotiations since 2009, fell apart for a number of reasons until it eventually came to fruition.
Ironically, at one stage, it fell apart over drug testing protocols which Pacquiao disagreed to. Mayweather also accused Pacquiao of using PEDs (performance enhancing drugs), and after being sued by Pacquiao, eventually settled the argument our of court for an undisclosed seven-digit figure.
The ‘IV Controversy’ will no doubt bring about a number of questions surrounding Mayweather. Particularly from his detractors. They will try to point out that Mayweather’s dominance in the sport, continued lightning speed and reactions (even at 38) are thanks to something ‘extra’ coursing through his veins. But they shouldn’t be making such accusations. And neither should anyone else.
Let’s remember that Mayweather isn’t guilty of anything yet. And short of actual evidence, shouldn’t be treated as boxing’s very own Lance Armstrong.
This ‘IV Controversy’ may well bring in extra viewers to Floyd Mayweather vs Andre Berto this weekend, but definitely won’t come as welcome publicity for Mayweather. Not when you consider the man’s legacy will be taken into account very soon after he hangs his gloves up for good come Saturday night.
So there it is. Thoughts, fight fans?
Mark Phillips is the Head Staff Writer/Assistant Editor at BoxingBase.com, and provides worldwide news, coverage and analysis – he can be reached via our Contact Page.
