Mayweather thumbs down $5M fine for failed drug test

MANILA, Philippines – Floyd Mayweather Jr. did not agree to a clause suggested by Manny Pacquiao’s camp that would slap either fighter a fine of $5 million should he fail a drug test before or after their megabuck showdown on May 2.

Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz made the revelation in an interview with Martin Rogers of USA Today.

Koncz said it was him who suggested the $5 million penalty clause to be included in the fight contract, something Mayweather rejected.

"It was very simple," Koncz told Rogers. "If Manny failed a test, he would have to pay $5 million. If Floyd failed, he would have to pay $5 million."

According to Koncz, Pacquiao's attorney David Moroso was informed that Mayweather declined the penalty provision through a letter from the undefeated fighter's attorney, Jeremiah Reynolds.

However, in a report by Lance Pugmire of The Los Angeles Times, Mayweather's adviser Leonard Ellerbe claimed that the drug testing issue was ironed out as the fight was sealed, denying that no penalty clause has been suggested.

“If Koncz and Manny didn’t communicate with their promoter during the negotiation, it’s a lame attempt to generate some publicity," Ellerbe said.

“We have no plan on limiting the liability and damages if Manny tested positive. They must be worried if they’re bringing this up. Essentially, what they’re trying to do is put a $5 million price tag if Manny tested positive. It’s awfully suspicious to me," he added.

Ellerbe then blasted Koncz for not informing Pacquiao regarding the details of the drug testing agreement.

“If you’re supposed to be the manager, you need to read the language in the contract before you let your fighter sign. That’s why, in my opinion, Michael Koncz is the biggest idiot in all of boxing. He obviously didn’t read the agreement before he had his client sign the agreement," he continued.

Mayweather and Pacquiao have indeed agreed to subject themselves to Olympic-style testing conducted by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) before their showdown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. This gives USADA the right to barge into both fighters’ camps anytime and carry out blood and urine tests.

The issue of drug testing had been central in previous negotiations for a Mayweather-Pacquiao bout. It was Mayweather himself who insisted that Pacquiao undergo random tests when the talks started in 2009.

Pacquiao initially refused to give in to the demand but eventually agreed to. The match, however, still wasn’t made.

Mayweather then resorted to accusing Pacquiao of using performance-enhancing drugs. This prompted the Filipino icon to file a defamation suit against Mayweather, and both camps settled the case out of court in 2012.

Now that the fight is a go, USADA has started conducting the tests while both fighters are in the thick of training for the fight, which is expected to go down as the richest ever in boxing history.  – Dino Maragay