Exclusive Interview: USADA's Travis Tygart sets record straight on Mayweather Jr & Mosley drug tests
May 12, 10:59 AMSacramento Fight Sports Examiner
Rick Rockwell
Since late 2009, drug testing has been the 'hot topic' of Boxing. The push from Floyd Mayweather Jr to have Manny Pacquiao submit to USADA drug testing has been a highly publicized and highly criticized issue. After the Mayweather/Pacquiao fight negotiations fell through, due to the disagreement on drug testing, Floyd Jr moved on to fight Shane Mosley. However, Mosley had to agree to the same drug testing demands, which he did.
Over the past 3 months, the drug testing for Shane and Floyd has been 'front and center'. Unfortunately, details of the testing were limited and skewed at best. In effort to clear up the confusion and correct the inaccurate facts, USADA's Chief Executive Travis Tygart spoke with this reporter for an Examiner.com exclusive.
1) Are the test results for Floyd Mayweather Jr and Shane Mosley available to the public?
We make the results public. We are open and transparent. All of the tests prior to the fight have been reported back to us, and all were negative.. We are still waiting for post fight tests. We expect to have them any day now.
Once we have all the results, we will process the information, put it in a chart and make available for the public.
2) How long until the test results are made public?
From a processing standpoint it usually takes us a quarter. Due to the significance of this fight, we're on a quicker time table. The details should be available by the end of the month.
3) How many times were Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather Jr tested?
Both fighters were tested 8 times each. 4 of those times were blood only. And the other four times were blood and urine.
4) Any problems with testing Floyd Mayweather Jr or Shane Mosley?
They both were fully engaged in the testing. There were absolutely no problems. Both fighters and all of their representatives were open for education. Both fighters provided all of their phone numbers and their locations. Bottom line, they were consummate professionals.
5) Any conflict with the NSAC during the testing process?
Not from our end. We agreed to share our results and we did. They received all information. We had a good and close relationship with them.
6) Any progress with boxing commissions implementing USADA drug testing?
We have had conversations with some. NSAC was going to hold a hearing to review the need of this blood testing. This sport is just coming around to realize the level of importance for blood testing.
The casinos have a great interest in level playing fields. They are overly cooperative with us because of their direct and significant financial interest in the fighters and fights.
May 12, 10:59 AMSacramento Fight Sports Examiner
Rick Rockwell
Since late 2009, drug testing has been the 'hot topic' of Boxing. The push from Floyd Mayweather Jr to have Manny Pacquiao submit to USADA drug testing has been a highly publicized and highly criticized issue. After the Mayweather/Pacquiao fight negotiations fell through, due to the disagreement on drug testing, Floyd Jr moved on to fight Shane Mosley. However, Mosley had to agree to the same drug testing demands, which he did.
Over the past 3 months, the drug testing for Shane and Floyd has been 'front and center'. Unfortunately, details of the testing were limited and skewed at best. In effort to clear up the confusion and correct the inaccurate facts, USADA's Chief Executive Travis Tygart spoke with this reporter for an Examiner.com exclusive.
1) Are the test results for Floyd Mayweather Jr and Shane Mosley available to the public?
We make the results public. We are open and transparent. All of the tests prior to the fight have been reported back to us, and all were negative.. We are still waiting for post fight tests. We expect to have them any day now.
Once we have all the results, we will process the information, put it in a chart and make available for the public.
2) How long until the test results are made public?
From a processing standpoint it usually takes us a quarter. Due to the significance of this fight, we're on a quicker time table. The details should be available by the end of the month.
3) How many times were Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather Jr tested?
Both fighters were tested 8 times each. 4 of those times were blood only. And the other four times were blood and urine.
4) Any problems with testing Floyd Mayweather Jr or Shane Mosley?
They both were fully engaged in the testing. There were absolutely no problems. Both fighters and all of their representatives were open for education. Both fighters provided all of their phone numbers and their locations. Bottom line, they were consummate professionals.
5) Any conflict with the NSAC during the testing process?
Not from our end. We agreed to share our results and we did. They received all information. We had a good and close relationship with them.
6) Any progress with boxing commissions implementing USADA drug testing?
We have had conversations with some. NSAC was going to hold a hearing to review the need of this blood testing. This sport is just coming around to realize the level of importance for blood testing.
The casinos have a great interest in level playing fields. They are overly cooperative with us because of their direct and significant financial interest in the fighters and fights.
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