AL Bernstein - Team Mayweather's....

[killersheep]

I don't believe that he, above all other boxers, needs a special set of rules to compete. I believe all championship bouts should embrace more conclusive types of testing. This kind of thing happening for such a large-scale fight is helping the sport progress.

Whether you agree or disagree with the obviously suspicious facts concerning Pacquiao's weight and his camp, Floyd's request only highlighted a fatal flaw in the sport that we love. Lets do something about it.

Why? Is a fighter's safety less important in his first bout than it is when he finally reaches a championship bout? Would it be logical to suspect usage of a substance that enhances or has the potential to enhance performance when a fighter is starting out or when he's has reached his goal? Violating rules in the spirit of competition doesn't change because there is a title at stake. So why would you limit testing to championship bouts? Your suggestion doesn't meet the criteria that bans substances.

Too many people have knee jerk reactions to this whole subject and don't give it enough thought or weigh the evidence before coming to conclusions. In general we make rules for people that follow the rules. People that break the rules don't care because they are not bound by them. Rush judgments to fix problems usually cause more problems than they solve.

Al Bernstein is spot on about primary subject. Floyd's team screwed up bigtime otherwise we'd be discussing whose going to win and why.

The reason it can't be done at all levels is simple............money.

Having the testing at the championship level is a good starting place, and it's the place that most boxers strive for, so they know once they get to that level they must be clean, therefore, it has an effect of creating incentive to train clean rather than train dirty.

[fan johnny]

I don't believe that he, above all other boxers, needs a special set of rules to compete. I believe all championship bouts should embrace more conclusive types of testing. This kind of thing happening for such a large-scale fight is helping the sport progress.

Whether you agree or disagree with the obviously suspicious facts concerning Pacquiao's weight and his camp, Floyd's request only highlighted a fatal flaw in the sport that we love. Lets do something about it.

Why? Is a fighter's safety less important in his first bout than it is when he finally reaches a championship bout? Would it be logical to suspect usage of a substance that enhances or has the potential to enhance performance when a fighter is starting out or when he's has reached his goal? Violating rules in the spirit of competition doesn't change because there is a title at stake. So why would you limit testing to championship bouts? Your suggestion doesn't meet the criteria that bans substances.

Too many people have knee jerk reactions to this whole subject and don't give it enough thought or weigh the evidence before coming to conclusions. In general we make rules for people that follow the rules. People that break the rules don't care because they are not bound by them. Rush judgments to fix problems usually cause more problems than they solve.

Al Bernstein is spot on about primary subject. Floyd's team screwed up bigtime otherwise we'd be discussing whose going to win and why.

The reason it can't be done at all levels is simple............money.

Having the testing at the championship level is a good starting place, and it's the place that most boxers strive for, so they know once they get to that level they must be clean, therefore, it has an effect of creating incentive to train clean rather than train dirty.

I agree that money is always a prohibitive factor when making rules, which is why great care must be taken when making them. I don't agree that it can't be done. It is being done. The problem in this discussion is the smear campaign has people thinking that the current methods are not good enough although methods can always be improved.

I'm not being facetious, help me out here... I really don't understand that statement.

[killersheep]

Why? Is a fighter's safety less important in his first bout than it is when he finally reaches a championship bout? Would it be logical to suspect usage of a substance that enhances or has the potential to enhance performance when a fighter is starting out or when he's has reached his goal? Violating rules in the spirit of competition doesn't change because there is a title at stake. So why would you limit testing to championship bouts? Your suggestion doesn't meet the criteria that bans substances.

Too many people have knee jerk reactions to this whole subject and don't give it enough thought or weigh the evidence before coming to conclusions. In general we make rules for people that follow the rules. People that break the rules don't care because they are not bound by them. Rush judgments to fix problems usually cause more problems than they solve.

Al Bernstein is spot on about primary subject. Floyd's team screwed up bigtime otherwise we'd be discussing whose going to win and why.

The reason it can't be done at all levels is simple............money.

Having the testing at the championship level is a good starting place, and it's the place that most boxers strive for, so they know once they get to that level they must be clean, therefore, it has an effect of creating incentive to train clean rather than train dirty.

I agree that money is always a prohibitive factor when making rules, which is why great care must be taken when making them. I don't agree that it can't be done. It is being done. The problem in this discussion is the smear campaign has people thinking that the current methods are not good enough although methods can always be improved.

I'm not being facetious, help me out here... I really don't understand that statement.

Really? Sienna and Magenta?
Just messing with you man.

Yes I can see how my statement may be confusing. I'll try to clarify.

Most boxers at least that get tv exposure and are in the public eye, have a goal of getting a title eventually. If they KNOW going into this they will be tested to the olympic standard once they get to that level it creates incentive for them to train clean, because once they get to that level they will know there is a much better chance of getting caught. I'm not saying to stop at championship level, but to start there. Once that becomes common place then you can work your way down from there, interim titles, title eliminators etc. Once that gets done, test the higher ranked guys and keep working your way down from there.

Yes the health of ALL boxers is equally important, but the reality of logistics, creating a working system etc. has to start somewhere as a trial to make sure the model works, why not start from the top?

I think it would be good press for boxing as a whole to state that it's getting cleaned up. It's a lot better then for example Mosley who passed ALL the tests available he never tested positive remember and he only got caught when the whole Balco lists came out. This brings up the example that designer PEDs are unable to be tested to the same standard. Using urinalysis is not good enough. For example the EPO test that was developed in 2003 that has been posted numerous times on here is practically void in what it finds because users of EPO have learned if they simply take lesser amounts more often it doesn't show up on that screen.

[Taeth]

What would I do in Manny's shoes? I would take the test and make 40million dollars.

How could Mayweather not make demands on blood testing with all the speculations that have come out since it was brought up?

I think its a failure in effective testing on Nevada's part to not test blood for peds... I mean urine isn't as indicative a manner of testing for most of the high quality "steroids", excuse my generality of the term, that are out there.

IMO this casts a shadow on all of boxing because it means all boxers have a pretty easy path to taking steroids and not getting caught if they do it correctly. Which basically means anyone with enough money can do it with virtually no repercussions.

[Dench]

Just want to post my take on this.


If Im Pacman, I will not take the test if its being pushed by someone like the Mayweathers -- who happen to be the first few people who brought up this PDE's thing with Pacman.

Pacman never tested positive under the NSAC tests, why would he submit himself for additional test if its being asked by acussers? If NSAC will require it then I will submit myself on it right away no questions asked. If its on the rules then I will abide the rules. I just dont get the point on me having to follow the rules of the people who keeps on accusing me doping.

Mayweather turned himself into a law maker here just to duck the fight. He knew Manny's not gonna play by his rules and he will make sure of that anyway. He can get off the fight, and leave Pacman looking like an a$$.

[Howlin Mad Missy]

who is manny to demand $10million from PBF for each pound over weight?

Cuts both ways doesn't it.

[zhubin]

With all due respect to Al...but he is just turning a blind eye to a subject that needs to be addressed. Whether Floyd demanded the tests as a smear campaign or because of genuine concern (or maybe both) may not be clear to some. But Manny, fair or not, has had the issue of PED's surround him before this fight was even being discussed. There clearly needs to be stricter and much more advanced drug testing in ALL sports. But if you are an athlete who is being suspected...and you have nothing to hide...why not take all the tests and shut up all your critics? Pride?! Morals?! Because it weakens you physically?!!!!! And on top of all that you walk away from 40 million dollars!!!!! It doesn't pass the smell test one bit. The PED problem in sports is so large (baseball has already revealed it's depth). If tomorrow...sports organizing bodies forced their athletes to take the most advanced drug tests (like muscle biopsy)...you very well would have a who's who's list of superstar names guilty. Floyd is no angel. But all team PAC has done, is to make the cloud of suspicion over Manny that much darker.

[Punch Drunk]

who is manny to demand $10million from PBF for each pound over weight?

Cuts both ways doesn't it.

Manny has every right to demand such. Remember that he is the one with the belt, the current #1 P4P king, and is a bigger draw than Mayweather.

And if your memory is too short, remember how Mayweather showed no absolute respect to Marquez on the weight issue. Now he is getting his karma.

[Dench]

who is manny to demand $10million from PBF for each pound over weight?

Cuts both ways doesn't it.

Floyd came in over weight against a legitimate lightweight on a 144lbs-fight. He shed 600,000USD to own Marquez's lone remaining advantage. Do you think Floyd will respect the weight limit of 147 vs Pacman? Well, theres a better chance of Tiger Woods becoming Pope than Floyd stepping up at 147 on weigh in.

[brucelee]

Here's an unbiased article also about this boxing mess.

Filipino Pride: The Main Reason Pacquiao Refuses Random Testing | Bleacher Report


Honestly, I'm so frustrated that I won't be able to see this once in a lifetime fight and I was blaming Manny for it but then that article once again reminded me that I am a Filipino.

As a Filipino, I can't blame Pac for that PRIDE which caused this fight to be called off. I know what that pride can do.

As a Filipino, I know that a Filipino's pride is more powerful than money and Mayweather should not have evoked that pride from Manny.

[cnote111]

@Bruce - Bout time you came to your senses... "Integrity" will always outweigh "Money"

Anyone can look at all my previous posts and i say more than once "Money" is not excuse for anything... The "American Way" is not always the right way...

[miron_lang]

@Bruce - Bout time you came to your senses... "Integrity" will always outweigh "Money"

Anyone can look at all my previous posts and i say more than once "Money" is not excuse for anything... The "American Way" is not always the right way...

Non Pinoys wont understand it.

But heck if its me I'll take the test i need the money. but its not me and Pac has Millions in dollars in revenues.


It's like offering Bill Gates 5B to do something he don't like doing. And Bill Gates is likely to take the money.

[jahmez]

It will be interesting if the fact that urine testing can now detect EPO and HGH was presented to Team Mayweather. Some posters have helped me out by sending me some links to articles where even the head of the USADA backed these statements. That, backed with the fact that blood testing has never detected a HGH user would make it hard to understand why Team Mayweather would still insist on blood testing.