By Ryan Dunn:
I just read a great article by Lem Satterfield regarding the USADA testing protocols being employed in the Floyd Mayweather vs. Shane Mosley, “Who R U Picking?” Superfight coming up on May 1. I have to say, the more I read about the protocol and how it applies to the world of boxing, the more enamored I become with it.
I like the idea of fighters providing whereabout information up front, so that they may be found any time, any where, to be tested for any performance enhancing drugs by the doctors for the USADA. I also like the idea that there are “real” penalties; like a possible 2-year suspension and disqualification for the bout itself.
Travis Tygart, president of The United States Anti-Doping Agency explained how the testing would work in the Mayweather-Mosley fight, which is taking place in the wake of Mosley’s fight with Berto falling through, and Mayweather’s negotiations with Pacquiao falling through. But this match-up may serve a bigger role in boxing than what happens inside the ring.
While I may not entirely agree with Mayweather’s motives for demanding the USADA protocol in his negotiations with Manny Pacquiao, he and Shane Mosley have both agreed to the same stringent request. In fact, by putting the heat on Pacquiao, Floyd may have inadvertently (or intentionally) just done boxing the biggest favor in recent years.
By instating this rigorous testing protocol (random, unlimited blood and urine all the way up to fight-night) for a match-up which will be heavily promoted (by Golden Boy Promotions), publicized (by HBO’s 24/7 and the media/internet), and viewed (by us, the fans), he will put his new regime center-stage for the world to judge. And who doesn’t support clean boxing for all parties involved? Boxing is a dangerous sport; people can die inside the ring; boxers often starve themselves of nutrients in order to make weight; and nobody wants a juiced up opponent knocking the life out of his opponent.
Of course those are extreme circumstances, but they are realities nonetheless, whether you think steroids can turn you into the Incredible Hulk or not. Which brings this back to the point: If things go the way I think they are going to go (there are already rumors of the Boxing Commissions considering rule changes in their drug-testing protocols as early as this September), then Floyd Mayweather will have single-handedly transformed the landscape of boxing as we know it.
I am of the opinion that no single athlete is bigger than the sport they are paid to perform, and Floyd is no exception. I disagree that drug-testing should be allowed to be negotiated in a contract. I think that boxers, if they want rules changed, should bring their cases to the rule-makers, so they can instate them in a professional manner. And yet… Floyd Mayweather, by bringing his case to the court of public opinion, may have fast-tracked what would have otherwise been a slow and rigorous process consisting of endless lobbying, back-room negotiations, and painful deliberations.
In a perfect world, boxers and their promoters (and Vegas) should have less control over the sport, with more control going back to the Boxing Commissions. John McCain had it right when he requested there be a National Boxing Commission which oversaw all boxers for total equality, and I also agree with Floyd Mayweather whole-heartedly that the sport needs better Anti-Doping policies put into place as soon as possible. (I’ll save my invasive vs. non-invasive drug-testing rant for another article.)
So let’s all take this moment to thank Floyd Mayweather Jr. (whether you love him or hate him) for exposing a true weakness in the sport of boxing. And let’s hope that his controversial road to repairing the sport can translate into something ultimately positive and effective toward the evolution of Boxing Commissions across the country.
I just read a great article by Lem Satterfield regarding the USADA testing protocols being employed in the Floyd Mayweather vs. Shane Mosley, “Who R U Picking?” Superfight coming up on May 1. I have to say, the more I read about the protocol and how it applies to the world of boxing, the more enamored I become with it.
I like the idea of fighters providing whereabout information up front, so that they may be found any time, any where, to be tested for any performance enhancing drugs by the doctors for the USADA. I also like the idea that there are “real” penalties; like a possible 2-year suspension and disqualification for the bout itself.
Travis Tygart, president of The United States Anti-Doping Agency explained how the testing would work in the Mayweather-Mosley fight, which is taking place in the wake of Mosley’s fight with Berto falling through, and Mayweather’s negotiations with Pacquiao falling through. But this match-up may serve a bigger role in boxing than what happens inside the ring.
While I may not entirely agree with Mayweather’s motives for demanding the USADA protocol in his negotiations with Manny Pacquiao, he and Shane Mosley have both agreed to the same stringent request. In fact, by putting the heat on Pacquiao, Floyd may have inadvertently (or intentionally) just done boxing the biggest favor in recent years.
By instating this rigorous testing protocol (random, unlimited blood and urine all the way up to fight-night) for a match-up which will be heavily promoted (by Golden Boy Promotions), publicized (by HBO’s 24/7 and the media/internet), and viewed (by us, the fans), he will put his new regime center-stage for the world to judge. And who doesn’t support clean boxing for all parties involved? Boxing is a dangerous sport; people can die inside the ring; boxers often starve themselves of nutrients in order to make weight; and nobody wants a juiced up opponent knocking the life out of his opponent.
Of course those are extreme circumstances, but they are realities nonetheless, whether you think steroids can turn you into the Incredible Hulk or not. Which brings this back to the point: If things go the way I think they are going to go (there are already rumors of the Boxing Commissions considering rule changes in their drug-testing protocols as early as this September), then Floyd Mayweather will have single-handedly transformed the landscape of boxing as we know it.
I am of the opinion that no single athlete is bigger than the sport they are paid to perform, and Floyd is no exception. I disagree that drug-testing should be allowed to be negotiated in a contract. I think that boxers, if they want rules changed, should bring their cases to the rule-makers, so they can instate them in a professional manner. And yet… Floyd Mayweather, by bringing his case to the court of public opinion, may have fast-tracked what would have otherwise been a slow and rigorous process consisting of endless lobbying, back-room negotiations, and painful deliberations.
In a perfect world, boxers and their promoters (and Vegas) should have less control over the sport, with more control going back to the Boxing Commissions. John McCain had it right when he requested there be a National Boxing Commission which oversaw all boxers for total equality, and I also agree with Floyd Mayweather whole-heartedly that the sport needs better Anti-Doping policies put into place as soon as possible. (I’ll save my invasive vs. non-invasive drug-testing rant for another article.)
So let’s all take this moment to thank Floyd Mayweather Jr. (whether you love him or hate him) for exposing a true weakness in the sport of boxing. And let’s hope that his controversial road to repairing the sport can translate into something ultimately positive and effective toward the evolution of Boxing Commissions across the country.
From: boxingnews24.com
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