http://boxing.fanhouse.com/2010/04/11/xylocaine-not-prohibited-by-usada/
The painkiller, Xylocaine, sometimes used by fighters to numb their hands against the pain of constant punching, is not on the United States Anti Doping Agency's list of prohibited substances, according to a top official with that organization.
"It's a common local anesthesia, and it's not prohibited," said Travis Tygart, chief executive of the USADA. "It's perfectly allowable to take under the World Anti-Doping Agency's program."
Tygart's organization has been brought in to "administer Olympic style, random drug testing" for both blood and for urine for the May 1 clash betgween 38-year-old WBA welterweight (147 pounds) titlist Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 knockouts) and 33-year-old challenger Floyd Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) that is slated for the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
"If either one of these fighters tests positive in our tests prior to the fight, the fight will be off," said Tygart, "and that will be announced, and everybody will know."
Mayweather has reportedly used Xylocaine in the past for brittle knuckles, "but apparently has not used it for years".
That situation has been remedied by hand-wrapping guru, Rafael Garcia, who was known for his work with "The Hands Of Stone," Roberto Duran.
Garcia joined Mayweather's camp not long after 2002, when the figher often complained of weak tendons.
Also known as Lidocaine, Xylocaine is not listed as being illegal by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, but the NSAC ruled that it was not going to allow Mayweather to use it prior to his December, 2007, knockout of Ricky Hatton at the MGM.
Tygart said that Mayweather and Mosley have been tested by officials assigned to administer the procedures. Last week, Mosley told FanHouse that he already had been tested twice.
"Their reactions to the process has been outstanding, even though there are some mild inconviences to it," said Tygart. "But those mild inconveniences are well worth the upside of having confidence that you're going to go into a fight where it's going to be based on your athletic ability and nothing else and not what somebody is being able to do covertly from their chemist or their drug dealer."