Floyd Mayweather's Adviser Wonders What Manny Pacquiao Has to Hide

"Why?"

That's the question Floyd Mayweather's adviser, Leonard Ellerbe, has for Manny Pacquiao.

As in, why won't the seven-division world boxing champion from the Philippines allow his blood to be randomly tested for performance enhancing drugs by the United States Anti-Doping Agency before taking the ring on March 13 against Mayweather?

If it is not called off due to the negotiations impasse related to the drug-testing issue, Mayweather-Pacquiao is slated for the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, whose Nevada State Athletic Commission requires bloodwork to be submitted before issuing year-long licenses to fighters.

The NSAC tests urine for performance enhancing drugs, usually after a fight and sometimes before, but does not require blood testing for illegal drugs.

NSAC chairman Keith Kizer said Pacquiao's urine tests have always been clean, adding, "I don't have any reason to believe" that Pacquiao is on steroids.

It had appeared that Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 knockouts) and Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) were in agreement in principle with all of the fight deal's negotiation parameters, including a 50-50 financial split, competition at the 147-pound limit, eight-ounce gloves, and an Olympic-style random drug test at the request of Mayweather's camp.

But recently, Pacquiao, believing that giving blood so close to fight time would weaken him, has told his handlers that he would supply blood only 30 days out or beyond from the fight or directly after the fight, according to his promoter, Bob Arum.

"We're not going to be harassed into taking blood tests the day of the fight, or, even the week of the fight. We have nothing to hide, but nothing has changed," said Pacquiao's adviser, Michael Koncz.

"If they're not going to be in agreement with what we've stated," said Koncz, "then we're not going to subject Manny against the a belief that he has against the drawing of the blood weakening his body prior to the fight if it's done anytime other than that what we've stated before."

"I'm not accusing Manny Pacquiao of anything. However, if he doesn't have anything to hide, then what is the problem?" asked Ellerbe, adding that Pacquiao's refusal to adhere to USADA standards is "a deal-breaker."

"If Pacquiao is representing that he is superstitious of needles," said Ellerbe, "then how does he have tatoos all over his body?"

Travis Tygart, chief executive of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. But his organization is the one contracted to execute the blood-testing procedure, which requires less than a teaspoon of blood.

"The USADA is the gold standard for administering this type of testing, and neither Top Rank, Mayweather Promotions, nor Golden Boy Promotions will determine when and how often the USADA will be conducting their tests," said Ellerbe. "That's the whole objective of doing random-testing. You don't get a chance to prepare."

Tygart told the Los Angeles Times recently that blood screening can allow testers to detect use of "a number of potent performance-enhancers not detectable in urine."

But Arum told FanHouse that even the methods used by professional baseball, basketball and football would be preferable than the spot-check blood-testing procedures he sees with USADA.

"Let's be very clear on the real issues we differ on. It's not about being tested. Manny is onboard with that since it's such a major concern of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. It's about who does the testing and the scheduling of the procedures. Manny will submit to as many random urine tests requested," said Arum.

"Regarding the blood tests, he will subject himself to three tests; one given in January during the week the fight is formally announced, one 30 days from the fight, no later than February 13, and the final one immediately following the fight, in Manny's locker room," said Arum.

"The major issue related to the testing rests with which independent agency will administer these tests. The United States Anti Doping Agency cannot do it because they will not amend its procedures to accommodate the blood testing schedule we have outlined," said Arum. "USADA, under its guidelines, would have the right to administer random blood tests as many times as they want up to weigh-in day, and that is ludicrous."

Tygart said, however, that Pacquiao's request to be tested only 30 days and beyond was "unacceptable to any effective anti-doping program," adding, "with a [30-day] window like that, you could dope to the gills and get away with it."

"Testing will not interfere with the competition," said Tygart. "It's unreasonable to believe that it would."

Pacquiao has fought in Las Vegas 11 times, including his past six bouts -- decisions over Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez, and knockouts over David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto.

The NSAC does require blood testing for AIDS and other blood-related diseases. Urine tests are screened for performance enhancing drugs, alcohol and marijuana, Kizer said.

"Talking to the experts, they are very confident in the drug-testing that we do. And if they weren't, we'd change it. But we're confident in how we do drug-testing, and we'll continue to do it that way," said Kizer. "That being said, if a fighter or fighters want to do additional drug-testing, more power to them. We have no problem with that."

Pacquiao weighed 134, 142, 138, and, 144, respectively, against Diaz, De La Hoya, Hatton, and, Cotto, scoring knockouts in nine, eight, two, and, 12 rounds.

Pacquiao's ability to carry power into all of those bouts has raised questions in the eyes of Mayweather's camp, and his father, Floyd Sr., in particular.

Arum has said that the fight is off, and that he has begun to look for other opponents for Pacquiao.

"[The fight] is off, because we will not succumb to their rediculous demands. Manny's still training as if he's going to fight on March 13. Bob Arum is putting a list of opponents together, and when it's completed, we'll decide on what opponent is going to be next," said Koncz.

"If Mayweather's people want to change their mind, then we're willing to entertain them. Otherwise, we're not going to," said Koncz. "They don't agree with us, and that's why the fight's been pulled off of the table, and we've instructed Bob to look for an alternative opponent."

Asked if he believed that the Mayweather-Pacquiao will still occur, Ellerbe said, "I do believe that it can still happen."

"I believe that Pacquiao, being who he is, that he'll step up and take the test," said Ellerbe. "These are the two best fighters in the sport, and entire world is watching. We have a chance to show, with two of its best athletes, that boxing is a clean sport."