NY Daily Times: Pac's Reps asked what Penalties he'd face if tested dirty

Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao haven't even signed a contract to fight yet, but Pacquiao is already losing. Mayweather's request that Pacquiao submit to random drug testing conducted by the United States Anti-Doping Agency before he signs a contract for the fight has put Pacquiao on his heels and put the proposed March 13 bout in jeopardy. If Pacquiao doesn't agree to the stipulation, then it looks like he's trying to cheat. Pacquiao has never tested positive for any banned substance, but the atmosphere in sports these days is that every athlete is under suspicion of cheating until proven otherwise. Mayweather-Pacquiao has reignited the passion of the mainstream sports fans for boxing. If Pacquiao wants to keep the flames of that passion hot, he will submit to the Olympic-style testing and go forward with the fight. If he doesn't, then everyone will assume he is dirty and his accomplishments of the last two years - knocking out Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto - will be clouded by suspicion, and boxing will have suffered yet another blow below the belt. This isn't some issue that just came about. It has been a part of the contract negotiations for weeks. According to a source familiar with the talks, Pacquiao's representatives asked what penalties Pacquiao would face if he tested dirty, and also if a dirty test result could be kept secret so that the integrity of the fight wouldn't be ruined in the public eye. Those are disturbing requests. It could just be due diligence on the part of the attorneys negotiating the contract or it could be that Pacquiao has something to hide. The only way to clear up the matter is to agree to the testing. Mayweather has agreed to undergo the same procedures, putting more pressure on Pacquiao. All of Pacquiao's initial arguments against taking the test are specious at best. He's afraid of needles. (How did he get all those tatoos?) He doesn't want to be weakened by having his blood taken so close to the fight. (What happens when he gets cut in a fight?) Bob Arum of Top Rank, Pacquiao's promoter, said the Filipino fighter doesn't mind taking urine tests, but he doesn't want to submit to the schedule of blood testing as outlined by the USADA. Arum said Pacquiao wants to do three tests - one given in January during the week the fight is formally announced, one 30 days from the fight, no later than Feb. 13, and the final one immediately following the fight, in Pacquiao's locker room. Arum's schedule has a loophole big enough for a cheating elephant to step through. It seems Pacquiao has trouble with the term "random," which is the linchpin of any reputable drug testing program. And the argument that he would be weakened if he were to take a blood test the week of the fight doesn't hold water. "The amount of blood taken is so small it will have zero effect on performance," said Dr. Gary Wadler, the World Anti-Doping Agency chairman of the Prohibited List Committee. "It's really inconsequential when you take into account the total blood volume in the human body. It's not a valid argument." Pacquiao has fallen under suspicion because of his meteoric rise from featherweight to welterweight in the last two years. In 2008, he won fights at 130, 135 and 142 pounds - an incredible feat in modern boxing. And he has seemingly gotten more powerful as he has risen in weight. Andre Ward, the WBA 168-pound champion, won a gold medal for the U.S. boxing team at the 2004 Athens Games. He was subjected to testing by the USADA, but he said it never drew blood while he was competing. Ward sides with Mayweather, but can understand Pacquiao's concern over the random testing. He said it's inconvenient, but worthwhile if it keeps you above suspicion. Ward said if there were $40 million at stake, it wouldn't even be a question for him. "I think he needs to do it so that no one is scratching their head and wondering about him," Ward said. "He needs to clear up any doubt. I agree with Mayweather and his camp. They're doing the right thing. They should take all the precautions to make sure that everything is done right. It's good for the sport."