It is still much better than the woefully inaccurate farce that the NSAC considers drug testing though.
So do we celebrate that we've got a less inaccurate farce, or do we demand the kind of drug testing regimes that have now long been in place in other sports? If only someone would lead the crusade. Anyone heard from Richard Schaeffer recently?
You are supposed to celebrate improvement instead of the let's sit on our hands and not do nothing method? As a person in a contact sport, you have an obligation to yourself to make sure people aren't getting into the ring with you and aren't bulked up in illegal enhancers. I've never bought the Floyd is cleaning up boxing brigade, he thinks Pacquiao is on the sauce but as a recourse, this sport is going to get cleaned up a bit. The notoriety that he has brought to the sport is going to benefit the sport as a result. Look at New York seeking to update their standards. This is a costly endeavor, but as we continue on and make progress with it. Sauerland in Germany is using Olympic style testing for all of their fights. People are opening their eyes and times are changing. What is sad is that a contact sport such as this hasn't been at the forefront of this revolution where we have non contact sports where people are just running and swimming, not life of death sports that will leave people mumbling like an invalid, far advanced. Boxing as a whole needs to better protect it's fighters and we as fans should encourage and demand it.
Well exactly. This is why it's sad to see someone like Shane Mosley, a former drugs cheat himself, not being clearer. Rather than presenting this as a great innovation, he should be telling people that this is a start, but that even with these procedures boxing is still nowhere near where it should be.
I agree, but you have to start somewhere and we have some people that are flat out refusing the idea. To be honest, I've never thought much about drug testing until this year. People need to educate themselves so that they know what is going on and protect themselves.
It sounds like when you were a kid and the dentist gave you a sticker and a lolly for being a brave boy.
Thanks for posting, great read! I hope other fighters who may fight in Mega Fights see that its not a bad thing but a good thing and can learn something from the process. I guess we will see.
But this goes to the bigger issue of not having a world wide boxing commission. Olympic athletes all fall under the ICO's rules. Its easy for the ICO to set up year long testing protocols for their athletes. Boxing has nothing that resembles the ICO in any way shape or form. So from what I can see this is the best way of ensuring that at least no one is juicing during the training. If you know of better "possible" ways, please share them.
I think it's been equal. He wanted the same amount of testing done for both fighters. At the same time or something.
LOL....I don't think Manny has a problem with people administering the tests....just the fact that blood is taken from him. Some people have adverse reactions mentally and phyically to certain situations.
pac's in a lose lose situation. He takes the random tests and loses. People will be all over that like flies on sh*t. Pac, don't take the test. Keep fighting in Dallas Stadium.
I realize that. And if it was any other business I might give him a pass. But this is the sport of Boxing. Every fighter is expected to face and pass unreasonable obstacles. Kellerman said it best after Ortiz quit in the fight with Maidana. While he understands that Ortiz was hurt, Boxing is a business that does not and should not provide leniency. Same rule applies to Manny Pacquiao. Imagine if you had a strict boss and you called into work and told him you have a headache and want the day off. Because you don't respond to headaches like the average person, you demand a pass. That said, would you expect your boss to let you off the hook? Wouldn't that sound awful? If you are able to provide a doctor's note indicating you have some sort of medical disorder then you're fine. But in Manny's case, there is no scientific or medical proof that having blood drawn "weakens" the body. So far Shane Mosley has only been blood tested twice in 16 days. Don't tell me that's a difficult task, especially for a professional boxer who can tolerate pain better than the avg person can. Now if he was tested 5 times a day in those 16 days then that's just outrageous and nobody should have to go through that.