Pacquiao feels vindicated; probe sought

• NSAC urged to take action

• Pacman camp wants rematch

• USADA clears Mayweather

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao yesterday said the Nevada State Athletic Commission should impose the “appropriate sanction” on Floyd Mayweather Jr. for using an illegal procedure taking intravenous medicine (IV) on the eve of their record-breaking clash last May 2.

Pacquiao was in General Santos City when he heard news Thursday about USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) issuing Mayweather a retroactive exemption for taking in 250 milliliters of saline and multi-vitamins and 500 milliliters of saline and Vitamin C to address dehydration.

“Truth finally came out and I was vindicated,” Pacquiao said in a brief statement to reporters in the Philippines late on Thursday.

“(The) Mayweather camp accused me of using PEDs (performance-enhancing drugs). Now look what happened. I hope Floyd Mayweather would learn a good lesson out of (the experience).”

Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s camp slammed Mayweather over the report that touched off an uproar in the country, prompting colleagues of the Saranggani representative to call for an investigation while Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. urged boxing authorities to strip Mayweather of the title and call for a rematch.

“I am outraged of course and hopeful the new revelation will be investigated by the proper authorities,” said Belmonte.

The comprehensive report by Thomas Hauser of SB Nation said while they were not banned substances, taking them via IV is prohibited because “an IV infusion can dilute or mask the presence of another substance that is already in the recipient’s system or might be added to it in the near future.”

Mayweather and the USADA, however, have both insisted the boxer’s actions were legal after the report said he had broken World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules.

WADA guidelines say IV infusions are prohibited because they can be used to mask the use of performance enhancing drugs, increase plasma volume levels and distort the values of an athlete’s biological passport.

However, a USADA source later told AFP that because Mayweather obtained a TUE (therapeutic use exemption), no offense had been committed under WADA rules.

“Mr. Mayweather’s use of the IV was not prohibited under the NSAC (Nevada State Athletic Commission) rules at that time and would not be a violation of the NSAC rules today,” a USADA statement added.

Pacquiao and Mayweather have engaged in a long-running feud which has not abated since the American won their only meeting, for the World Boxing Organization welterweight title, on points.

Mayweather, who is looking to extend his unblemished (48-0) record against Andre Berto on Saturday, insisted he was a “clean athlete” after the injection came to light.

“I follow and have always followed the rules of Nevada and USADA, the gold standard of drug testing,” he said in a statement.

“I am very proud to be a clean athlete and will continue to champion the cause,” Mayweather said.

Pacquiao didn’t sound surprised with the news but said he was glad that the truth came out even though there are no positive repercussions yet on Mayweather who will fight Andre Berto on Sunday (Manila time) for supposedly his last fight.

“Siya (Mayweather) pala ang lumalabag sa alituntuning ipinapatupad ng NSAC (It’s him who’s breaking the rules of the NSAC),” Pacquiao added.

Now, Pacquiao is seeking a rematch – a fair one.

“Kaya gusto kong mag rematch kami. Yung wala na akong injury at dapat fair play, walang lamangan. Hindi yung halos lahat ng terms and conditions Mayweather camp ang nagdidikta. Di bale ng dehado tayo sa hatian (sa pera) basta pagdating sa ibang aspeto ng laban, dapat fair (That’s why I want a rematch – when I’m free of injury. Unlike the first time when the Mayweather camp dictated the terms and conditions. Never mind if he gets the big slice of the prize money but it must be fair when it comes to other aspects),” Pacquiao said through his information officer.

The Filipino boxing superstar, still trying to recover from the torn rotator cuff on his right shoulder, also said NSAC must take the appropriate action in order to preserve its name.

Pacquiao was curious why the USADA exemption was granted to Mayweather three weeks after the fight, which the American won by unanimous decision.

“Bakit three weeks after the fight? (Why three weeks after the fight?). Ano, may tinatago? (Is there something to hide?) For the sake of fairness and for the good of the sport, NSAC must be consistent,” said Pacquiao.

Mayweather has maintained he had followed the rules of the two bodies.

“I did not commit any violations of the Nevada or USADA drug testing guidelines,” he said.

“Let’s not forget that I was the one six years ago who insisted on elevating the level of drug testing for all my fights. As a result, there is more drug testing and awareness of its importance in the sport of boxing today than ever before. I am very proud to be a clean athlete and will continue to champion the cause.

“I am very proud to be a clean athlete and will continue to champion the cause,” Mayweather said.

Pacquiao called on the NSAC to do what is appropriate.

“Kung kailangan mag-impose ng appropriate sanction na dapat gawin ng NSAC to sustain its credibility and to show the world na wala itong preferential treatment na binibigay sa Mayweather camp,” added Pacquiao.

He rued the fact that the NSAC denied him pain-killers shortly before the May 2 fight that recorded close to 4.4 million in pay-per-view sales.

Four months after the fight and his surgery, Pacquiao has been bouncing around town like he’s ready to fight again.

Last Tuesday and Wednesday, the 36-year-old Pacquiao rode his P220,000 Pivot Mach 6 mountain bike close to 120 kilometers with his friends. Thursday evening he played basketball longer than what a professional game requires.

Pacquiao, according to his promoter, Bob Arum, will return to the ring early next year, and might do a couple more fights before calling it a day.

The opponent has yet to be named although Amir Khan, the British superstar with Pakistani roots, remains on top of the list.

Mayweather fights Berto this weekend, seeking his 49th win. The undefeated champion said it’s going to be his last fight – regardless of what happens..

Meanwhile, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, leader of the independent bloc, said he was proven right disbelieving that Pacquiao lost to Mayweather.

“I am in great disbelief that Pacquiao lost to Mayweather, now it can be told why. This is very outrageous and should be investigated objectively with dispatch by proper authorities because this is an embarrassment and would affect the credibility of boxing. With this, a rematch is in order,” Romualdez said.

Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez said the most honorable thing to do for Mayweather is to surrender his belt pending the inquiry “especially if he has done beyond what is allowed and permitted by international boxing rules and standards.”

Marikina City Rep. Romero Quimbo expressed suspicion that the Usada may have given Mayweather preferential treatment.

“I am aghast and outraged by the double standards by the US authorities. It only goes to show that Mayweather is a Fakeweather. He will do anything to become something he will never be the greatest ever,” Quimbo said.

“Mayweather’s victory is now questionable. He should be stripped of his title. Pacquiao deserves a rematch,” Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo said. – With reports from Abac Cordero, Paolo Romero