By Carlos Boogs
WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao says he is still stunned by Floyd Mayweather's decision to reject a contract clause which called for a $5 million dollar penalty if either of them tested positive for a performance enhancing drug.
Mayweather and Pacquiao are set for action on May 2nd from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. USADA [United States Anti-Doping Agency] is handing the random drug testing protocol.
According to Pacquiao, USADA has already tested him six times.
When the two sides came together to negotiate an agreement in 2009/2010, the deal fell apart because Pacquiao rejected Mayweather's demand for both of them to get randomly drug tested up until the fight.
After Pacquiao's rejection, Mayweather and several members of his team made comments which hinted at Pacquiao potentially using performance enhancers. Pacquiao filed a lawsuit for defamation and the two sides eventually reached a private settlement.
This time around, Pacquiao accepted all of Mayweather's drug testing requirements.
Mayweather brushed off Pacquiao's request for the penalty of $5 million.
"I suggested it. I was surprised he turned it down," Pacquiao said. "I was surprised because I was not the one making accusations. They were the ones blaming me because I didn't want to drug test."
Mayweather's adviser, Leonard Ellerbe, said they rejected Pacquiao's penalty demand in order to leave door open for more severe damages if the fight fell apart due to a positive drug test.
That decision did not sit well with Pacquiao. He also didn't like the idea of agreeing to a 60-40 revenue split in Mayweather's favor - but did so in order to make the fight for the fans.
“If my concern is myself alone, I don’t [think of] the fans,” Pacquiao said. “Then the fight, it’s hard to make happen. Because of course, I don’t want to take 60-40, a disadvantage and everything. I agreed with that for the sake of the fans. I agreed to make the fight happen.”