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[trustkill]

Link to full article: UFC Should Feel Pressured By Boxing's Embrace Of VADA Drug Testing - Bloody Elbow

We've all heard UFC president Dana White brag about the UFC having the most rigorously tested athletes in sports. Situations like Alistair Overeem and Chael Sonnen's failed drug tests for elevated testosterone levels lend some degree of credibility to the "effectiveness" of the current testing regime. The promotion also deserves credit for putting their own testing in place when operating in a state or country with little or no actual testing.

But there's another sport that not only has to deal with the current testing set up for the state athletic commissions and has athletes choosing to take things to the next level. Boxing.

The first real push the sport of boxing saw for blood testing was the first round of serious negotiations for a mega-fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Floyd demanded blood testing because of suspicions that Manny had used performance enhancing drugs and he felt that the current urine tests weren't good enough. Some felt it was a negotiating tactic, and many felt that it was unfair to expect a fighter to agree to things that the state didn't require. It did work in Floyd's favor though, as Manny's "fear of needles" really dented his credibility in the public.

To Floyd's credit, he didn't back off blood testing for any opponent going forward. Shane Mosley (who had a history of PED use), Victor Ortiz and Miguel Cotto all agreed to "Olympic style" blood testing. But the idea of a "clean sport" has moved beyond just Mayweather fights.



On the undercard of Mayweather vs. Cotto, Shane Mosley and Canelo Alvarez used VADA testing for their bout. The highly anticipated rematch between Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto? VADA testing there too. Lamont Peterson vs. Amir Khan II? Yep, VADA.

Oh, and that Peterson/Khan fight? That might be in trouble after Lamont popped positive for a synthetic testosterone. In a bit of an ironic twist, it was Peterson who wanted the testing for the fight. So it would appear clear that VADA is reasonably effective.

In fact, it's getting a little weird that every other major fight is having VADA testing except for Pacquiao's fight with Timothy Bradley. Not that I'd dare suggest that means anything. After all, fear of needles.

But the larger point is that the UFC's combat sports cousin is seeing a shift in drug testing demands. Fighters and fans seem to want to try to clean up the sport a bit by going beyond the current system, which experts will say is not really all that effective.

Dana White had been resistant to the idea of upping the UFC's drug testing, repeating the same lines about how hard the sport is already tested and then asking if people expect him to fly around to test fighters. But recently did start to say that they'd "figure something out" and talked about bringing in an agency.

I can't help but think that a promotion the size of the UFC that talks so tough about wanting everything to be clean can afford to embrace an agency like VADA to take things to the next level. Will any sort of testing ever make a sport 100% clean? No, of course not. But it will make it more difficult for fighters to use in a sport that most people think has rampant PED use.

Of course, there's still probably nothing that can be done about this sudden flood of fighters with low testosterone.

[Masscore]

Embracing? The only person that truely embraces it is Mayweather and thats because he knows Pac-Man will never fight him with that stipulation. If Pac-Man was willing to do the blood testing then Mayweather would have no interest in it. Notice the guy becomes a hero against Steroids the second he finds out Pac-Man hates blood test.

Come on, boxing has just as much trouble with cheating and PEDs as MMA if not more so.

[Mr. Cornute]

Originally Posted by Masscore

Embracing? The only person that truely embraces it is Mayweather and thats because he knows Pac-Man will never fight him with that stipulation. If Pac-Man was willing to do the blood testing then Mayweather would have no interest in it. Notice the guy becomes a hero against Steroids the second he finds out Pac-Man hates blood test.

Come on, boxing has just as much trouble with cheating and PEDs as MMA if not more so.

I disagree whole heartedly, Mayweather has always been a advocate against steroids. He had the same blood testing done in the Hatton fight, for that matter if I'm not mistaken as well in the De La Hoya fight.
To Mayweather's credit, he has always been a natural, he works & trains like no one else in boxing & therefor should want to verify that those whom fight him are doing the same.
For everyone up in arms about Mayweather requiring Pac to blood test in regards to a fight stip, my question is this...for a man whom has multiple tatts isn't it a bit disingenuous for Pac-Man to state he is "scared/nervous" or any of the above of needles? Yes, he could also state it weakens him etc but Mayweather falls into the same fate as he would be tested as well.
Look, I'm a fan of Pacquio but this argument that Mayweather is fearful of fighting him in my opinion is bs. Mayweather has fought the best of the best for years on end & has done it without any question of his natural ability.

[Y2JUBAE]

So if Pacman is dying and needs a blood transfusion to live, he will just die?

[Mr. Cornute]

But in regards to the article, yes I believe random testing (even blood testing) would be a good way to turn all combat sports around.
From the moment you sign the contract till a few weeks after the fight you should know that you could or will be tested & in turn if you are caught 6Months, 2nd infraction 1year & 3rd you get cut (that is to be fair as I'd prefer 2nd infraction you get cut).
You don't have to do everyone on the roster per-say but everyone who signs a fight contract test them immediately & randomly throughout up till & shortly after their scheduled fight.

[Mr. Cornute]

Originally Posted by Y2JUBAE

So if Pacman is dying and needs a blood transfusion to live, he will just die?

Exactly

[trustkill]

Originally Posted by Mr. Cornute

I disagree whole heartedly, Mayweather has always been a advocate against steroids. He had the same blood testing done in the Hatton fight, for that matter if I'm not mistaken as well in the De La Hoya fight.
To Mayweather's credit, he has always been a natural, he works & trains like no one else in boxing & therefor should want to verify that those whom fight him are doing the same.
For everyone up in arms about Mayweather requiring Pac to blood test in regards to a fight stip, my question is this...for a man whom has multiple tatts isn't it a bit disingenuous for Pac-Man to state he is "scared/nervous" or any of the above of needles? Yes, he could also state it weakens him etc but Mayweather falls into the same fate as he would be tested as well.
Look, I'm a fan of Pacquio but this argument that Mayweather is fearful of fighting him in my opinion is bs. Mayweather has fought the best of the best for years on end & has done it without any question of his natural ability.

Well said. I respect Mayweather's boxing, but I don't respect the man. But he has taken the initiative to conduct more transparent testing for his own fights. I don't necessarily think Manny is cheating, but Floyd's stance on PEDs removes any doubt about him in my mind.

[goodtimes]

Pacquiao has put on a lot of weight since the beginning of his career while continuing to have tons of power. I wouldn't be shocked at all if he was using some form of PED, and like Mr. Cornute said his supposed fear of needles is such a BS defense especially since the guy has several tattoos.

[Sniggles]

Originally Posted by Y2JUBAE

So if Pacman is dying and needs a blood transfusion to live, he will just die?

Stupid statement.

[kingrobert]

Originally Posted by goodtimes

Pacquiao has put on a lot of weight since the beginning of his career while continuing to have tons of power. I wouldn't be shocked at all if he was using some form of PED, and like Mr. Cornute said his supposed fear of needles is such a BS defense especially since the guy has several tattoos.

I agree with you..It would not surprise me Pacquiao was using some sort of PED. Manny has gotten bigger and stronger while Floyd wins his fights with defense and skill. If Manny isnt using I dont know why he wouldnt want a 50 million dollar paycheck.