by Luis Sandoval
The Juan Manuel Marquez and Timothy Bradley welterweight class scheduled for October 12th seems to have already hit a snag in regards to the random style drug testing that is set to be administered. Bradley has stated in the past that any fighter who signs up to fight him also has to sign up for random anti-doping testing. Marquez says he will comply with Bradley’s request but Bradley will in return have to comply to his own request of not being able to rehydrate more than 10 pounds after their official weigh in.
“Bradley he wants to do the anti-doping test. I'm ready for that. But this is a not a rule for the fight. I want after the weigh in, I want Bradley not to [weigh] more than 10 pounds more because he is heavy. He's too big. This is not a rule but if he wants anti-doping test, I want him [not to weigh over] 10 pounds [after the weigh in]” Marquez would reveal.
Marquez has been under some scrutiny after his knock out win over Manny Pacquiao last year as many suspected him of using something in order to achieve his physique and the ability to knock Pacquiao out cold. Marquez is linked to former PED distributor Angel Memo Heredia but both have insisted their results were due to hard work and not anything illegal.
Marquez insists he wants to prove he’s clean but would also like the testing to be done in particular way to prevent any problems when the samples are tested.
“Look, that's not in the rules. But a lot of people have said things about me so I want to prove that I'm a clean fighter and that in my 20 year career I have been clean. I do ask that when they do the testing whether its VADA or USADA, that when they take the sample, they take it at the same time. Because they take one sample one day, another sample a different day and then you get misinformation. I would like for both of us to test at the same time so there's no problem with any banned substances” stated Marquez.
When BoxingScene interviewed Bradley, he was made aware of Marquez’s new request surrounding the drug testing and him not being able to rehydrate over 10 pounds after the weigh in. Bradley wasn’t having it.
“That's stupid. That's the dumbest thing I ever heard in my life. If you're clean take the tests. Plain and simple. I just think it’s dumb. I can't weight 10 pounds over? We fighting for the Welterweight championship baby. This ain't no catch weight. This ain't no 143, no, this is 147” Bradley would tell BoxingScene.
Bob Arum also stated the request was not part of the deal and didn’t seem like it would be something that would be stipulated.
Marquez for the moment looks like he will be taking a strong stance on this matter. He admitted Bradley was a bigger fighter and while he’ not worried about it, he feels it could play into the fight.
“Right now, a lot of fighters have tested positive and I'm against that situation because if you are, you are one step ahead of your opponent. So it’s perfect. It’s not a rule. He's asking for the anti-doping testing and I want that after the official weigh in that he doesn't weigh more than 10 pounds. I see him as a big fighter [and] that doesn't worry me but that could be an advantage for him the day of the fight.”
Things will definitely need be ironed out soon and agreement reached in order for things to continue as planned.
As for the actual drug testing, Bob Arum informed the commission will actually be responsible for having the testing done for both fighters under a similar stringent process as USADA or VADA. More on that to come.
You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter @Truewest007. You can also tune in to BoxingScene Radio, Boxingscene’s official audio show every Tuesday from 6-8PM PST with hosts Ernest Gabion, Luis Sandoval, and Ryan Burton.
