Floyd Mayweather
during their boxing bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-222852 ORIG FILE ID: 20150504_mjr_su5_022.JPG" width="300" height="210" /> May 2, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Manny Pacquiao (left) against Floyd Mayweather during their boxing bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY
Do Floyd’s Vitamin and Saline Injections Mask The Truth? An Editorial
Editorial By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
*Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas- USA Today
The below views do not represent Real Combat Media. No wrongdoing on Floyd Mayweather’s part is alleged. The author questions whose anti-doping authority governs.
Las Vegas, NV (September 12, 2015)– On the day of what Floyd Mayweather Jr. claims will be his 49th and final professional bout against Andre Berto as a world welterweight boxing champion, ‘Money’ Mayweather is waist deep in controversy which may or may not tarnish his reputation. It all depends how boxing fans, the Nevada State Athletic Commission, and the general public view Floyd’s propensity to break the rules to his own advantage. Noted promoter Bob Arum called Floyd’s latest action disturbing. Considering Floyd values his reputation over all else, it’s hard to believe he would risk it for nothing. The issue has to do with vitamin injections.
Floyd, who insisted anti-doping tests, rules and regulations be in place for years before he fought Manny Pacquiao, received an intravenous injection the day before fighting Pacquiao this past May. The reason it is legal is the United States Anti-Doping Association (USADA) gave him the permission to take what was claimed vitamins but failed to contact the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA). The vitamin and saline IV injection could be in violation of World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines. The issue is which organization has ultimate authority.
USADA drug testing officials found evidence of an IV injection when they arrived at Mayweather’s house on the first of May, hours after the weigh-in for his championship bout with Manny Pacquiao, but before the bout. Mayweather’s medical team said Floyd took a cocktail of saline and vitamins to prevent dehydration, and stated the ‘mix’ Floyd injected is allowed under WADA regulations. The supposed legal limit was 50 ml in the IV, and Floyd had 750 ml in the IV he claimed was vitamins. Floyd applied for and was granted an exemption by the USADA after the bout.
Intravenous infusions or injections are prohibited during the period an athlete is undergoing testing. The reason is clear, because such applications could dilute or mask the presence of other substances which are in the recipient’s system, or might be added to it in the near future. Testing for the Pacquiao fight was carried out by officials from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), which uses WADA guidelines as part of its protocols.
Mayweather did not apply for an exemption for the intravenous usage until May 19th, 2015, seventeen days after his unanimous 12 round points decision victory over Manny Pacquiao. The exemption was granted by the USADA on the grounds it constituted therapeutic use for the following day after the bout, and on May 21, 2015, the Nevada State Athletic Commission and Pacquiao’s representatives were notified.
On the night Floyd fought Pacquiao, Manny Pacquiao claims he was prevented by fight officials from being administered a painkilling injection for a shoulder injury, with paperwork issues cited as the reason for denial of Pacquiao’s injection request. It should be noted an injection for pain killer, and an injection with saline and vitamins, constitute two very different categories. Pain killer could contain steroids. The fact Floyd has public wrestled for years for anti-doping rules and regulations raises questions as to which of three different anti-doping organizations has jurisdiction in Nevada and to what extent. Saline and vitamins are not in the same category as Human Growth Hormone (HGH).
Some are calling Floyd’s exemption a reflection of his influence in professional sports. Others call the latest revelations disgusting. Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao, Floyd’s last significant world class opponent, is now demanding a 12 round rematch in the face of Floyd’s unfair advantage. Amir Khan is also demanding a chance at Floyd as promised. Floyd has vowed to retire after fighting Berto.
Steroids are not the issue in this case. Procedure is the issue, and which organization has what authority. Anti-doping is regarded as voluntary. Commission authority is in force, and the Nevada Athletic Commission cleared Floyd’s post-fight tests. A vitamin injection could constitute ‘fuel injection’ for a pro boxer needing a boost in personal energy. Floyd got one with Pacquiao, and he could inject himself tonight. The general public may or may not find out if and who is sailing with the vitamin breeze on some solution which could insure victory. Floyd’s 49-0 record could be in question if he gets there tonight. If reached, his 49-0 record should not have an asterisk. Whether saline and vitamin injections matters much is pure speculation. In all probability, it is not likely to be much of an advantage.
Whether or not the exemption after the fact constitutes an unfair advantage of sorts-or not-is open to discussion. A great sportsman plays the game clean. If ‘clean’ is defined as ‘can received an injection exemption’ so be it. Noted trainer Panama Lewis was suspected of giving World Light Welterweight champion Aaron Pryor a ‘special concoction’ water in the fighter’s corner late in their first bout so he could gain energy and strength to defeat Alexis Arguello. To this reporter, vitamins are no big deal. They were a big deal after Pryor versus Arguello I. Whose organizational authority rules in the case of an injection exemption is undecided. Floyd’s vitamin injection raises the ultimate question of whose authority determines what to a whole new level of interpretation. Nobody has provided a clear answer.
If Floyd ‘got caught’ after the fact regarding the IV injection, and then applied for the USADA exemption only because of it, the circumstances would hinge on whose authority was the late exemption granted. At this point, the pay-per-view and bookie money at stake may entitle Floyd to special considerations. Floyd’s exemption status makes his injection before the Pacquiao bout legal and neat, but some may regard his special exemption status as questionable. It all depends on the circumstances surrounding the exemption. Floyd’s corner has acknowledged the IV injection, and Floyd has not commented.
If Floyd’s bout with Berto is to be a part of destiny, the validation of the outcome at this point in the game may be contingent on whether or not the post-fight drug testing this time is done by the book. I agree with Floyd in one major respect: Floyd does not seek to have himself compared with Rocky Marciano. If it not just the differences in era or weight category. The Rock’ fought his career clean. Whether Floyd will be interpreted that way, legend or legacy, remains to be seen in the sands of time by boxing historians. In any case, Floyd’s ability to obtain an IV injection exemption in this reporter’s view, gives Floyd an unfair advantage to win, however legitimate the post-fight status of the pre-fight vitamins and saline IV injection, especially in a high temperature and high humidity environment.
Given the juicy paychecks Floyd’s opponents get, and Floyd’s marquee value fame of the moment for many years, nobody’s complaining about the IV injection revelations. Since Floyd is in a category by himself, and promotion, press and the general public has put him there on a pedestal, there’s no way to categorize this type of behavior. The odds are in his favor with a vitamin and saline IV injection which provides the fighter with extra energy and stamina before the fight. Neither the public nor Floyd’s other opponents know if Floyd has used vitamin IV injections in the past.
How far Manny Pacquiao will or can plead his case with the athletic commission for a rematch or the courts remains a question mark. Pacquiao settled with Floyd out of a court in a previous lawsuit. Most boxing lawsuits seek financial compensation over contractual obligation. If Pacquiao is smart, he should just ask Floyd directly for a rematch, and in all probability Floyd will give him one, given the latest controversy. If it all seems confusing to the average soul who uses vitamins, perhaps boxing is behind the times. Eventually boxing will catch up to other sports and remain vigilant, perhaps more so because of Floyd.
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