Pacquiao feels ‘vindicated’ by Mayweather IV controversy

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao says he feels “vindicated” after a report that Floyd Mayweather Jr. received a banned intravenous infusion the day before their fight this past May.

The Filipino boxer had previously settled a defamation suit with Mayweather for an undisclosed sum after Mayweather’s camp alluded on several occasions that Pacquiao had used performance enhancing drugs.

Now it’s Mayweather who is under the spotlight after a report on SB Nation stated that Mayweather had received a retroactive therapeutic use exemption (TUE) after IVs containing multi-vitamins and Vitamin C were discovered at his home by United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) agents following the weigh-in.

USADA was commissioned to oversee random pre-fight testing for their May 2 fight, which Mayweather won by unanimous decision. 

“Truth finally came out and I was vindicated,” Pacquiao texted to PhilStar’s Abac Cordero.

Though the substances are not banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which sets the standards for anti-doping testing, intravenous therapy “of more than 50 mL per 6 hour period except for those legitimately received in the course of hospital admissions, surgical procedures or clinical investigations” is on WADA’s “Prohibited Substances and Methods List.”

“Mayweather camp used to accused (sic) me of using PED. Now, look at what happened. I hope Floyd Mayweather would learn a good lesson out of it,” Pacquiao continues. 

"Now look at what happened. I hope Floyd Mayweather would learn a good lesson out of it," says @MannyPacquiaoTR @PhilippineStar

— @abaccordero (@abaccordero) September 10, 2015

A Reddit post collated important documents explaining why IVs are disallowed. USADA’s website says they can be used to: “increase their plasma volume levels; b) mask the use of a Prohibited Substance; c) distort the values of their Athlete Biological Passport.”

Kevin Iole of Yahoo! reported that Mayweather applied for the TUE for a 250 ml mixture of saline and multi-vitamins, and a 500 ml mixture of saline and Vitamin C.

The SB Nation reports says that the TUE wasn’t applied for until 18 days after the weigh-in, May 19. The Nevada State Athletic Commission and Pacquiao’s camp were notified on May 21, 2 days after the TUE was applied for and one day after it was granted. 

(READ: Where does Manny Pacquiao go from here?)

The reason cited for the IV was to aid rehydration, which does not fall under the “medical emergencies or in-patient care” that is required for a TUE to be issued. 

“It is very disturbing,” Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum commented to USA Today in a telephone interview. “Yeah, I am outraged. But I don’t know what we can do about it. I can’t change the result.”

Pacquiao had been barred from injecting the numbing agent Toradol, which isn’t barred by WADA, before the fight by the NSAC after the commission claimed paperwork requesting the injections weren’t properly filed. 

(READ: Injections could’ve numbed Pacquiao to Mayweather’s punches – commission)

USADA issued a statement on Friday, September 11 Manila time, claiming that the SB Nation report contains “numerous unfounded and false accusations.” The organization claims that Mayweather “did disclose” his intention to use the IVs in advance of the their use. The statement doesn’t address the date that Mayweather had applied for the TUE, aside from stating “Mr. Mayweather’s application was not approved until after his fight with Mr. Pacquiao and all test results were reported.”

USADA’s statement on inaccurate news reports regarding the sport of pro boxing pic.twitter.com/sddehcHguP

— USADA (@usantidoping) September 10, 2015

NSAC executive director Bob Bennett told SB Nation he was “less than pleased” with USADA, adding “We have the sole authority to grant any and all TUEs in the state of Nevada. USADA is a drug-testing agency. USADA should not be granting waivers and exemptions. Not in this state.

“The TUE for Mayweather’s IV — and the IV was administered at Floyd’s house, not in a medical facility, and wasn’t brought to our attention at the time — was totally unacceptable.”

Bennett told SB Nation, adding that he has told USADA chief Travis Tygart “that this should not happen again.”

(READ: Not even Pacquiao is forever)

Mayweather, who faces Andre Berto in his 49th pro fight this Saturday in Las Vegas, issued a statement shortly after, saying he is “very proud to be a clean athlete” while denying any wrongdoing.

Floyd Mayweather Jr statement: #boxing #mayweatherberto pic.twitter.com/4rQqP89iU2

— przemek garczarczyk (@garnekmedia) September 10, 2015

“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 than ever before.” – Rappler.com