Manny, Marquez negative for drugs

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, who battled for 12 hard rounds last Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, have both tested negative for any banned substance.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission, through Keith Kizer, said results of the pre-fight and post-fight tests are clean, quashing inquiries on a certain drink Marquez took during the fight.

In between rounds, Marquez was seen drinking a yellowish substance from a white plastic bottle, and curious fight fans have raised questions on whether they were illegal or not.

Pictures of Marquez being fed with the bottle containing the yellowish substance were even posted in various boxing websites.

But the NSAC, according to a report by The Examiner yesterday, said it was nothing more than an electrolyte drink, which was allowed under the rules.

“Water and electrolyte drinks are allowed in the corner. Any electrolyte drink must be brought to the arena in factory-sealed, plastic bottles,” said Kizer.

“Mr. Marquez used water and Pedialyte on Saturday night,” added the NSAC honcho.

Philboxing also wrote that Marquez allowed to take the drink after it was tested before the fight, and the Pacquiao camp was told they could use the same drink if they wanted to.

Again, Kizer stressed that results of all tests on the two gallant warriors were negative.

“The steroid and drugs tests for Mr. Pacquiao and Mr. Marquez are in. They were all negative,” he said.

The NSAC statement should also end speculations that the 38-year-old Marquez had turned to steroids as he bulked up in so short a time.

Marquez hiring a new strength and conditioning coach who once testified to supplying steroids to a couple of Olympic champions fanned the speculations.

But the NSAC saying officially declaring both fighters clean and negative of any banned substance should put everything to rest.

“I’ve never taken banned substances. It’s a shame, all my hard work, being thrown into the trash can. I worked very hard and I will do any test they want as long as Manny does, too,” Marquez said heading to the fight.

Pacquiao has faced similar accusations that he’s into steroids, and have taken Floyd Mayweather Jr. to court because of the latter’s baseless accusations.

Mayweather’s allegations that Pacquiao is into PEDs (performance enhancing drugs) is just one of the reasons that has kept the super fight between them from happening.

But Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, said a few weeks back that the drug testing is no longer an issue if and when negotiations for Pacquiao vs Mayweather resume once more.

Fight after fight, Pacquiao has tested negative for any banned substance.

Pacquiao, like Marquez, is as clean as a whistle.