Philippine boxer Manny Pacquiao calls for a rematch after American rival Floyd Mayweather was accused of violating anti-doping rules in their mega-fight back in May.
Pacquiao, who had lost a unanimous decision to Mayweather in Las Vegas, has urged Nevada sports officials to “impose the appropriate sanction." He further questioned the delayed information from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) about the injected vitamins and minerals to the unbeaten American before the fight, who was already given a USADA exemption, three weeks after the revelation.
“Are they hiding something? For the sake of fairness and for the good of the sport, NSAC must be consistent,” he said, according to Manila Bulletin. “If needed, the NSAC should impose the appropriate sanction to sustain its credibility and to show the world they did not give preferential treatment to the Mayweather camp.”
The unbeaten pound-for-pound king allegedly broke the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations by having an IV infusion at his home in Las Vegas on May 1, a day before his fight with Pacquiao.
But despite the violation, USADA source said that Mayweather didn't violate the WADA rules since he obtained a therapeutic use exemption, Today Online reported.
Pacquiao also claimed that he was treated unfairly because the Nevada body didn't allow him to use USADA-approved painkiller for his shoulder injury.
“That is why I want a rematch. One without any injury and with fair play. No favoritism. Not one where the Mayweather camp gets to dictate all the terms and conditions,” he said.
Prior to the two's first fight for the World Boxing Organization welterweight title, Mayweather insisted for Pacquiao to comply drug-testing, accusing the Filipino boxer of using performance-enhancing drugs, which ended in a lawsuit that was settled out of court.
“Truth finally came out and I was vindicated. (The) Mayweather camp accused me of using PEDs (performance-enhancing drugs). Now look what happened,” Pacquiao said.
Mayweather, who wants to retain his 49-0 record as he faces Andre Berto today, Sept. 13, has insisted that he is a “clean athlete.”
“I follow and have always followed the rules of Nevada and USADA, the gold standard of drug testing. I am very proud to be a clean athlete and will continue to champion the cause,” Mayweather said, according to The Express Tribune.
