i TV Pinoy

Source: gmanews.tv
-- Amid a looming legal battle over claims of steroids use and the other camp's declaration that the mega-fight is dead, the side of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. appears ready to soften its stand on the disputed dope-testing item in the planned March 13 showdown with Manny Pacquiao.

Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who’s representing Mayweather in the negotiations, on Sunday (Manila time) said the Floyd group is open to the Pacquiao camp’s demands of not using the US Anti-Doping Agency for the Olympic-style drug tests and of setting a cut-off time in conducting blood tests prior to the fight.

“We are OK to move off USADA," Schaefer said in an interview with ESPN.Com. “What we’re saying and what is important to us is four things – that the tests be random, that they include blood and urine and the time frame, meaning when do you stop the tests before the fight but know they will still be effective."

According to the GBP executive, the two camps have already agreed on the issues of random, blood and urine tests.

“It’s a matter of the two sides working out the specifics of the cutoff date to assure it will still be effective."

The dope issue has derailed the otherwise smooth negotiations for the projected highest-grossing fight in boxing history.

Purportedly aiming to protect their fighter from performance-enhancing drugs that they accused Pacquiao of taking, the Mayweather camp has insisted on doing thorough dope tests, including getting blood samples two days before the fight.

But Team Pacquiao has objected, wanting assurances that training would not be disrupted by a middle-of-the-night test or one conducted a few days leading up to the fight.

Instead, promoter Bob Arum proposed three scheduled tests - on the week of the fight’s press conference, at least 30 days before the bout, and immediately after the action. He also recommended that the Nevada State Athletic Commission or independent agencies that work with the NBA, NFL or MLB be tapped to do the test in place of the USADA.

The issue has taken a turn for worse as a fed up Pacquiao asked his promoters to help him prepare libel, slander, and defamation suits charges against Floyd Mayweather Jr and his father Floyd Sr., as well as Schaefer, whom he felt had “gone overboard" in insinuating he’s on to something illegal.

"I maintain and assure everyone that I have not used any form or kind of steroids and that my way to the top is a result of hard work, hard work, hard work and a lot of blood spilled from my past battles in the ring, not outside of it," Pacquiao said in a statement Friday. "I have no idea what steroids look like, and my fear in God has kept me safe and victorious through all these years.

"Now, I say to Floyd Mayweather Jr., don't be a coward, and face me in the ring, mano-a-mano, and shut your big, pretty mouth, so we can show the world who is the true king of the ring," the Filipino superstar said.

Arum had already declared the fight "dead" on Friday (Manila time) even while last ditch negotiations to reach a compromise and salvage the super fight are still ongoing.

"As far as I'm concerned the fight is over," Arum said. "Can it be revisited in the autumn? We'll see."

According Schaefer, GBP executive Bruce Binkow and Top Rank president Todd duBoef are currently in talks to settle the issue on the cutoff date for the tests – the remaining obstacle to Mayweather-Pacquiao.

“We want to figure it out (cutoff date) and I will give my recommendation to Team Mayweather and they will be on board. USADA is the most-recognized one but if it’s another one, like the Nevada commission, we don’t really care. I don’t care who performs the tests as long as they are performed. That’s our position," Schaefer told ESPN's Dan Rafael.

“If this fight doesn’t happen, it’s not because of Team Mayweather," he added.

Team Pacquiao, according to Arum, is already considering a duel with Paul Malignaggi on March 13.