A fine of $5 million had been put proposed by Manny Pacquiao last month, if either he or Floyd Mayweather failed the drug test. But as per latest understanding, Mayweather is said to have turned down the request.
It has been reported that the Mayweather attorney sent a letter to Pacquiao attorney David Moroso declining for any financial penalty for a drug test.
"Today we were informed that Mayweather turned down the request," ESPN quoted Manny Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz as saying. "Manny had requested that there would be a reciprocal fine of $5 million for a failed drug test."
There were a number of terms and conditions, which had been put forward by the Mayweather camp for the mega fight on 2 May ay MGM Grand, and the Filipino had agreed to all the demands, which also included drug testing by USADA.
Pacquiao had used Voluntary Anti-Doping Association for drug test in previous instances, but for the mega bout, he agreed for the USADA testing. Mayweather has been very specific about drug testing as he wants his opponents to be tested by USADA only.
When the boxers were expected to fight in 2010, all demands had been agreed, barring drug testing protocol, as a result of which the fight failed to see the green light. It was in fact the Filipino who had disagreed to the strict blood test demands that had been made by Mayweather camp.
But this time, the Filipino did not want any stone unturned as he had personally talked about $5 million fine for drug testing, which showed Pacquiao's confidence in coming clean.
Koncz is disheartened with Mayweather's camp refusal. "They have made derogatory statements for years about Manny (supposedly using PEDs) and now we challenged them by asking for the $5 million fine, and they refused to do it. It's disheartening," he said.
But one look at the entire episode shows the stupid side of Pacquaio's camp, who should have included this term in the main fight contract. However, defending the decision, Koncz said: "Why does it have to be brought up for the main contract? Everything in the main contract pertains to the co-promotion and the promoters. You can argue all day if (a penalty agreement) should be with the USADA contract or the main contract."
He also further stated that the issue of drug testing terms is not between promoters, but boxers. "It's a simple thing -- if you fail, you pay the other guy $5 million. The issue is simple -- are you willing to agree to a penalty of $5 million? The drug-testing terms and any penalty, that's between the fighters not the promoters."
