By Roy Luarca
MANILA, Philippines—This time, Manny Pacquiao is giving Floyd Mayweather Jr. little room to reject their proposed megabuck bout on Nov. 13.
After thumbing down Mayweather’s demand for Olympic drug testing and canceling their fight set on March 13, congressman-elect Pacquiao is now willing to deviate from his hard-line stance.
Pacquiao, intent on forging what could be boxing’s biggest showdown ever, said he is now amenable to undergo random drug and urine testing 14 days before the fight.
Originally, Pacquiao wanted the tests to be held at least 24 days before the fight, saying blood extraction procedures made him weak.
The 31-year-old Pacquiao said he felt weak when he fought and lost by unanimous decision to Erik Morales the first time they met in March 2005 as a result of the late tests.
Pacquiao went on to beat the Mexican great in their next two bouts.
“Whatever is agreed upon, it’s OK with me,” Pacquiao said in Filipino. “I trust Mr. (Bob) Arum on this matter.”
Pacquiao, who’s been proclaimed as winner of Sarangani’s lone congressional district, flew in from Gen. Santos City on Tuesday to meet with President-apparent Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
The seven-division champ shot a Ginebra commercial on Wednesday and visited his commercial building in Manila’s Quiapo district Thursday night with confidant Rex “Wakee” Salud.
Pacquiao, who will take a crash course on governance at the University of the Philippines, said he’s willing to be tested two weeks before fight night provided that the amount of blood to be taken would be minimal.
Projected to enrich both fighters by at least $40 million, the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight was almost sealed before a last-minute demand by the American for random testing derailed negotiations.
Known for his intense focus when in training, Pacquiao said he sees no conflict in his duties as a congressman and as a fighter.
Source: http://sports.inquirer.net/professional/professional/view/20100521-271181/Pacquiao-relents-on-pre-fight-tests
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