By Chris Robinson
Over the weekend, the boxing world was caught off guard when it was revealed that former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver had tested positive for the anabolic steroid drostanolone following a pre-fight drug test for his June 2nd split-draw with Lateef Kayode. Having spent time moonlighting as a color commentator for Showtime in recent years, Tarver’s failed test is the latest in a line of shocking developments related to performance-enhancing drugs in the sport of boxing.
PEDs in boxing is becoming more and more concerning and there are some who have a vested interest in the subject. I caught up with one of those people recently when respected trainer Jeff Mayweather and I again chopped things up.
Continue reading for a few sound bites from my interview with Mayweather, including his thoughts on his nephew Floyd Jr.’s initial interest in drug testing, why the sport is in shambles, how he would act if one of his fighters approached him about taking illegal substances, and much more.
Hearing of Tarver’s failed drug test…
“I heard about it. Of course, the whole world heard about it. I was definitely surprised. I mean, I don’t think Tarver’s that type of fighter but at his age, you never know what a person will do.”
Floyd Mayweather looking like a genius…
“To be honest, at the end of the day, it’s one of these situations where, when Floyd first started this two years ago, everybody was still making a mockery of him, talking about he’s afraid of Pacquiao. That was never the reason for being scared of Pacquiao. But look at what has happened since that time; all these fighters getting caught dirty. Now, all of a sudden, Floyd looks like a f*cking genius. He called this years ago. Like ‘If I’m going to fight a guy, make him take a test’. Now, all of a sudden, everyone’s taking the test. And the sad part is, these are guys that have good reputations and things like that. The first thought in my mind is that they wouldn’t do it but at the same time, no one knows the reality of what a person would do to win.”
Wrong on all ends…
“Right now, boxing is in shambles. It’s in shambles as far as the judging, it’s in shambles as far as all these fighters getting caught dirty. Boxing, right now, like they always like to say it’s a black eye; I don’t know, it’s worse than a black eye. It’s wrong on all ends. These guys doing anything possible to give themselves a physical advantage to win. Boxing right now is a mockery. Boxing is looking really, really bad. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that in a sense to compare it to anything else. Because all these other sports are doing it; boxing is just catching up with it.”
The difference with boxing…
“The difference between boxing and football, baseball, and stuff like that; in baseball you aren’t throwing punches to another human. All you’re trying to do is hit the ball out the park. It’s a little bit difference in football because you are physically attacking someone, but it’s not the same as boxing. The objective of boxing is to hurt a person. If you’re fighting a person that actually has these PEDs inside of them, it makes them stronger. In a sense, it’s a disgrace to the sport. I think that anyone that actually is getting caught and has been caught cheating, should deserve a severe suspension.”
Believing in hard work…
“Basically, I have a great relationship with my fighters and I think if my fighters were to ever try to do that, they would come to me first and probably ask my opinion. And if they did ask for my opinion, I would tell them. If they still wanted to do it they would have to find a new trainer, because I don’t want to be a part of that. That’s just not me. I believe in hard work and if you lose, you lose. If you win, win by your hard work and your determination and the work you put in; not because you’ve got something put in your body that is trying to enhance you.”
On the highest level…
“It’ one of those things that so many people in boxing are looking to be a star. What I don’t understand is this; all these people are getting caught, but at the same time, there is PEDs out there that are so sophisticated that it can’t be detected. These guys on the highest level, I don’t understand why they’re getting caught. The only person I would say that possibly would be involved in that would be [Andre] Berto and that’s because he has the guy from BALCO. Don’t get me wrong, there may be a case where guys hire these strength trainers and you just take whatever they give them. But a person that just takes anything anyone gives them is just a fool.”
A shame…
“It’s just a shame. It’s a shame for the guy coming out the other corner. Because everyone else in involved in the whole situation, basically is innocent. The fans, they are innocent; no one knows what’s going on. The judges, they don’t know what’s going on. The only person that knows what’s going on is that person that is on something and possibly somebody in their camp. With that being said, it’s sad.”