Mayweather sets record straight

Floyd Mayweather believes Manny Pacquiao's refusal to submit to blood testing is a sign that the Filipino doesn't want to fight him.

The bout between the two had been scheduled for March 13 but the deal is in danger of collapsing after a difference of opinion between the two camps.

Mayweather's team have insisted on US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) protocols, including random blood tests at any point beforehand.

However Pacquiao has refused to be subjected to testing 30 days before the fight, believing that doing so would weaken him so close to the bout.

Statement

Now Mayweather's camp have hit back, releasing a statement, in conjunction with Golden Boy Promotions, claiming that Pac-Man and his promoter Bob Arum are failing to see the benefits from testing.

"Let the record be clear; Manny Pacquiao and his promoter Bob Arum are threatening to walk away from the largest fight in history," the statement read.

"It is disappointing for us to see that the benefits of blood testing, and the fact that many different substances and procedures can only be detected by blood testing, are still not fully understood at all.

"Their 'take it or leave it' approach, where blood testing would stop 30 days prior to the fight unless the Nevada State Commission (NSAC) approved differently, is another indication that they may not want this fight."

Pacquiao had threatened to take legal action in a statement he released on Boxing Day, while also assuring everyone that he had not taken "any form or kind of steroids".

Team Mayweather have looked to diffuse the row, though, adding: "Let it be very clear that nobody from Team Mayweather or Golden Boy Promotions is accusing Pacquiao of anything.

"But the reality seems to be that, for whatever reason, Pacquiao does not want to participate in random blood testing, which has already been deemed a harmless procedure that many current athletes are subjected to, prior to and during competition.

Concession
"Also, when told that Pacquiao feels that the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is an agent of Golden Boy Promotions - which is in and of itself a ridiculous accusation - we moved swiftly and made yet another concession by stating that we would be perfectly fine to retain another agency which would do the random urine and blood tests and jointly agree on a reasonable cut-off prior to the fight, but which would still maintain the integrity of the results.

"Let it be clear that this procedure was declined by Pacquiao as was the proposal to bring in an independent mediator such as Senator John McCain, a suggestion that was in fact embraced by Bob Arum, but also declined by Manny Pacquiao."

The Nevada State Athletic Commission have reacted to the disagreement by ordering both boxers to submit to tests within 48 hours.

"That at least starts the ball rolling," said Keith Kizer, the commission's executive director.

"I don't know if this will help the chances of the fight happening. But with all this talk of drug tests, let's actually do one."

Source: skysports.com