Pacquiao: 'I Have Never Used Anabolic Steroids'

5:58 PM // 0 comments // Ian Purugganan // Category: Pacquiao //

When seven-division champion Manny Pacquiao filed a lawsuit seeking compensatory and punitive damages for defamation of character against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his camp in late December, the WBO welterweight (147 pounds) titlist delivered a long statement defending himself against the Mayweather camp's alleged steroid use allegations.

"As I have stated before," Pacquiao said, in part, "I have never used anabolic steroids nor do I even know what they look like."

The suit also named Floyd Mayweather Sr., his uncle and trainer, Roger Mayweather, as well as Richard Schaefer and Oscar De La Hoya, CEO and president, respectively, of Golden Boy Promotions, which handled Mayweather's part of the negotiations for a potential March 13 fight between the two.

"[The lawsuit is] based on their [defendant's] false and defamatory statements about Manny Pacquiao -- specifically their publicly stating that Pacquiao was taking steroids or other illegal drugs to enhance his performance -- knowing that there is absolutely no basis for any such assertions," Pacquiao's attorney stated at the time.

Not long after Pacquiao's filing, the negotiations collapsed over an impasse involving drug testing protocol for both fighters.

Below is part of Manny Pacquiao's statement regarding blood testing:

"There seems to be concern from numerous members of the sports industry -- from writers to reporters, even other athletes, regarding why I am concerned with random blood testing. As I have stated before, I have never used anabolic steroids nor do I even know what they look like.

"I view using steroids, synthetic growth hormone, or any other illegal or banned substance as cheating. I would never cheat this sport that I love. I would never cheat the legacies of the great champions I have been blessed to challenge. I would never do anything to cheat such great champions as Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, all of the Mexican warriors that I have been blessed to go into the ring and do battle with.

"My concern as a fighter is that there should be some limitations and agreements on how much blood they can take from someone prior to a fight. My other concern is how close to the actual fight itself can they take the blood. It is my opinion that taking blood from a person can weaken you. I do not want to be in a weakened state when I enter the ring against any fighter.

"My concern has never been with someone randomly checking me with regards to blood or urine. I volunteered immediately to have my urine tested anytime someone wanted to -- all the way up to the time I am walking into the ring. It was later brought to my attention and the attention of my staff that you can not test for synthetic growth hormone through urine; you could only detect synthetic growth hormone through blood tests.

"Before all of these blood-testing and demands from other people, I had never even heard of synthetic growth hormone. I have never seen it before nor have I ever used it. I take my training very serious. I train 30 rounds a day to be in the best shape during a fight so I can give the fans the best show I can. I eat very healthy -- like chicken and fish and a lot of rice.

"In order to make these new heavier weight classes, I have to eat more then I have ever eaten in my life. I actually have to eat five times a day and bigger meals than I have ever eaten before."

 [Source: Lem Satterfield, Fanhouse.com]