Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather 2015 Tickets & News: Tension Heats as ‘The Money’ Rejects $5M Drug Test Agreement
Barely two months before his fight against Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr. reportedly refused to sign an agreement which will enforce a $5-million penalty in the event of a failed drug test.
Michael Koncz, Pacquiao's business manager is wondering why the undefeated American fighter did not agree to sign such agreement.
"I'm a little puzzled and a little dismayed that they wouldn't agree to something this simple," Koncz was quoted by Mirror as saying.
Pacman's business manager said he received a correspondence from Mayweather's lawyer Jeremiah Reynolds telling them that the "The Money" will not be signing the $5-million term. This is different from the agreement they signed to make the May 2nd fight happen.
He told CBS Sports that he sees their refusal as "hypocritical" since "Floyd wants to clean up the sport."
"We put our money where our mouth is. If you test dirty, you pay us $5 million. If we test dirty, we pay you $5 million. The only thing it has to do with is his integrity. He's been flapping his mouth for five years," Koncz added.
Meanwhile, Mayweather's advisor Leonard Ellerbe explained that the conditions on the drug testing were "rigorously negotiated for weeks on behalf of Manny by [his promoter] Top Rank and Mayweather Promotions, which is well documented in the media."
Ellerbe slammed Pacquiao's camp for trying to "generate some publicity" for the issue. He, according to CBS Sports, also called Koncz an "idiot" whom Pacquiao should be ashamed of.
"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," Ellerbe was quoted as saying.
To this, Koncz said that he does not really care about what Leonard says. "I don't know if he learned that around the ghetto or in the toilet, I'm not sure. He should spend more time conducting the business of promoting this fight than trying to ridicule me," he added.
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has been earlier tapped to administer the random drug test of both fighters. Mirror said that the USADA will conduct unannounced blood and urine tests to determine if the boxers are using performance-enhancing substances such as testosterone and Human Growth Hormone.
The fight is considered one of the greatest and richest fights in boxing history with tickets expected to be sold starting at $1,000 and ringside tickets pegged at $5,000.
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