One of the main reasons why it took a while for the Floyd Mayweather Jr. - Manny Pacquiao fight to happen were the various accusations made by the two boxers camps against each other.
One of which has something to do with the use of performance enhancement drugs. For years, the American fighter insisted his Filipino rival is on some drugs, reason why he is performing great.
The deal between the two went on anyway without them urging each other two undergo drug testing. Their fight will happen on May 2 at the MGM Grand Arena.
However, in a sudden turn of events, the two will have to be tested for drugs. A couple of weeks since the confirmation of their fight, USADA, or US Anti-Doping Agency, announced that both Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao have agreed to participate in a drug-testing.
"The USADA can confirm that Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao have agreed to take part in the USADA testing program for their professional boxing fight scheduled for Saturday, May 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada," the USADA said in a press statement. "Both fighters have agreed to the rules established under the World Anti-Doping Code, the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List, and the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing."
While this is a surprise for some fans given the fact that nobody mentioned it ever since the confirmation of the Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao fight a few weeks ago, USADA CEO Travis Tygart insists it is an important help from the two iconic boxers to clean the sports from such anomalies.
"It's a strong statement of the importance of clean and safe competition to have these two fighters voluntarily agree to have a WADA level anti-doping program implemented for this fight," Tygart said. "We commend them for their stand for clean sport and the message it sends to all those who want to compete clean at the highest levels of all sport."
