TUMANGGI si Floyd Mayweather, Jr. na magbayad ng $5 milyon na multa sakaling isa sa kanila ni boxing champ Manny Pacquiao ang hindi pumasa sa drug test bago at pagkatapos ng kanilang nakatakdang laban sa Mayo 2.
Sinabi ng adviser ni Pacquiao na si Michael Koncz sa panayam ng ESPN.com na hindi pumayag si Mayweather sa inilagay na kondisyon ng kanilang kontrata ang pagbabayad ng $5 milyon sakaling may bumagsak sa drug test sa kanilang laban sa MGM Grand Garden Arena.
“Today we were informed that Mayweather turned down the request. Manny had requested that there would be a reciprocal fine of $5 million for a failed drug test,” sabi ni Koncz.
Iginiit naman ni Leonard Ellerbe, CEO ng Mayweather Promotions at close adviser nito sa panayam ng ESPN.com na dapat isinama ang naturang kondisyon sa unang kontratang pinirmahan.
“Michael Koncz is an idiot, and Manny Pacquiao should be ashamed to have him as his representative in my opinion,” sabi ni Ellerbe. “It’s obvious he didn’t read the contract. Why would he have his fighter sign something he was not happy with? The deal was negotiated up and down by his promoter (Bob Arum of Top Rank) on behalf of Manny with Floyd and Mayweather Promotions, and it’s been well documented in the media for quite some time.”
Matatandaang ang isyu rin ng drug-testing ang naging dahilan kung bakit hindi natuloy ang laban nina Pacquiao at Mayweather noong 2009 at 2010.