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Pacquiao confirms: 14-day window for blood testing okay
Pacquiao confirms: 14-day window for blood testing okay
By Dino Maragay (philstar.com) Updated May 21, 2010 01:12 PM
MANILA, Philippines – Taking a blood test 14 days before a proposed fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. would no longer be an issue with Manny Pacquiao.
A day after reports came out saying that Pacquiao has agreed to take blood tests for the Mayweather fight, the Filipino ring has icon has confirmed his willingness to do it 14 days prior to the bout.
In an interview with GMA News, Pacquiao, who has recently been proclaimed congressman of Sarangani province, said he will subject himself to a blood test as long as not too much blood would be taken from him.
“Fourteen days is okay with me, as long as it (blood test) isn’t done on the day of the fight, and only the right amount of blood will be drawn from me,” the WBO welterweight champion said.
This development would possibly revive talks for a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, expected to be the richest bout in boxing history. The clash between two of the best pound-for-pound fighters was supposed to happen last March, but both camps failed to find common ground on the issue of blood-testing.
Mayweather’s camp originally insisted on an Olympic-style blood testing to be carried out 14 days before the fight. Pacquiao, however, wanted a 24-day window.
Asked whether negotiations have already started now that he has agreed to do the test, Pacquiao refused to answer, instead pointing to his American promoter.
"It's up to Bob Arum. He will be the one handling the talks," the 31-year-old fighter said.
Arum has scheduled Nov. 13 for his prize ward's ring return.
By Dino Maragay (philstar.com) Updated May 21, 2010 01:12 PM
MANILA, Philippines – Taking a blood test 14 days before a proposed fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. would no longer be an issue with Manny Pacquiao.
A day after reports came out saying that Pacquiao has agreed to take blood tests for the Mayweather fight, the Filipino ring has icon has confirmed his willingness to do it 14 days prior to the bout.
In an interview with GMA News, Pacquiao, who has recently been proclaimed congressman of Sarangani province, said he will subject himself to a blood test as long as not too much blood would be taken from him.
“Fourteen days is okay with me, as long as it (blood test) isn’t done on the day of the fight, and only the right amount of blood will be drawn from me,” the WBO welterweight champion said.
This development would possibly revive talks for a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, expected to be the richest bout in boxing history. The clash between two of the best pound-for-pound fighters was supposed to happen last March, but both camps failed to find common ground on the issue of blood-testing.
Mayweather’s camp originally insisted on an Olympic-style blood testing to be carried out 14 days before the fight. Pacquiao, however, wanted a 24-day window.
Asked whether negotiations have already started now that he has agreed to do the test, Pacquiao refused to answer, instead pointing to his American promoter.
"It's up to Bob Arum. He will be the one handling the talks," the 31-year-old fighter said.
Arum has scheduled Nov. 13 for his prize ward's ring return.
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