By Rick Reeno
Most of last week's headlines were overshadowed by a drug testing controversy, regarding Floyd Mayweather's use of an intravenous injection of saline and vitamins following the May 1st weighin to the mega-fight with Manny Pacquiao.
There is an ongoing debate on whether or not Mayweather violated the guidelines of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
According to sources, an official from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) was called to Mayweather's home prior to the boxer's use of the IV.
Mayweather, who said he felt ill after the weighin, was reportedly tested before and after the IV was administered. In accordance with WADA rules, a TUE [Therapeutic Use Exemption] was granted retroactively.
Upon hearing the news, Pacquiao called for the Nevada State Athletic Commission to punish Mayweather.
“Are they hiding something? For the sake of fairness and for the good of the sport, NSAC must be consistent,” he told reporters in the Philippines.
“If needed, the NSAC should impose the appropriate sanction to sustain its credibility and to show the world they did not give preferential treatment to the Mayweather camp. That is why I want a rematch. One without any injury and with fair play. No favoritism. Not one where the Mayweather camp gets to dictate all the terms and conditions."
Pacquiao is upset with the NSAC officials for denying his request to take an anti-inflammatory shot in his dressing room before the Mayweather bout. USADA had approved his request for the shot, but the NSAC denied his request - claimed Pacquiao had never advised them of his right shoulder injury and failed to disclose that injury on a pre-fight medical form.
Nevada State Athletic Commission chairman Bob Bennett told Showtime that he - and the rest of the commission - found no evidence of wrongdoing on Mayweather's part.
"Mr. Mayweather has done nothing wrong," Bennett said. "The Nevada State Athletic Commission has no interest in any type of investigation regarding his IV. He did not violate the WADA rules for any type of drugs and we have no issue."
Former two division world champion Paulie Malignaggi has been very outspoken about Pacquiao over the years. He believes the boxer's incredible run was possibly aided by performance enhancing drugs.
He chimed in on the ongoing controversy with Mayweather and Pacquiao's reaction to the headlines.
"I don't think it's a vindication [for Pacquiao]. The fight [with Mayweather] was laughable mainly because Manny couldn't do anything and I don't think that has anything to do with Mayweather hydrating. In reality, you can play the role all you want but what did the hydration really do other than hydrate him," Malignaggi told BoxingScene.com.
"You can talk about [using the IV as] a masking agent, but the guy random drug tested throughout the whole training camp. He was passing every test - probably up until a week before [the fight], so you know that he wasn't masking anything and you know he's not taking anything. In [Pacquiao's] mind, what exactly is he vindicated about? He looked like sh*t in the fight and [even with the controversy] he still looks like sh*t in the fight."
