Sports Updates

MANILA -- Manny Pacquiao said he will press charges against controversial boxing trainer Floyd Mayweather, Sr. for claiming that the Filipino champ used steroids to enhance his performance inside the ring.

“I will file a defamation suit against Floyd Mayweather Sr. soon,” Pacquiao said in his column “Kumbinasyon” published by PhilBoxing.com.

The hard-hitting General Santos native, who is due to face World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Miguel Cotto on November 14, said he will probably file the case by next week.

“As soon as everything gets settled,” said Pacquiao. “And I will not let this become a distraction when I will train. Let us wait until next week.”

Pacquiao’s coach, Freddie Roach, earlier said he has already consulted his lawyers about the possibility of pursuing a case versus Mayweather Sr.

“I talked to Manny, and I talked to an attorney, and we are all on board here. This is all over the place now that Manny is on steroids, it's defaming his name," Roach told Brad Cooney of 8CountNews and Examiner.com.

The “steroid controversy” stemmed from Mayweather Sr.’s claim that Pacquiao has been using “some sort of supplements” which is why he was able to maintain his punching power despite climbing several weight divisions.

“He's never been that kind of puncher and all of a sudden he's a gigantic puncher,” said Mayweather Sr.

Pacquiao, who first became a world champion as a flyweight, climbed the welterweight division and defeated Oscar de la Hoya in eight rounds. He also stopped Ricky Hatton, a natural junior welterweight, in two rounds.

“I felt that he was on steroids or some type of supplements or some type of enhancement drugs… believe me when I tell you, he's going to get caught,” said the controversial boxing trainer.

Mayweather Sr. is the father of former pound-for-pound king Floyd “Pretty Boy” Mayweather, Jr., who is due to fight Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Cleared of steroids use

However, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), the preeminent state sports body in the US, has already cleared Pacquiao of steroids use.

“All I can tell you is that Pacquiao, every time he's fought here [in Nevada, has] been tested, as well as his opponents,” said NSAC executive director Keith Kizer (not Kaiser as easlier reported).

“He passed every drug test we did to him, every steroid test we did to him,” he added.

Kizer stressed that the NSAC conducts stringent drug tests on boxers before allowing them to fight within the jurisdiction of Nevada, where most of the biggest boxing matches are held.

“[On] title fights [we have] tests for steroids and drug abuse. [We look out for] marijuana, cocaine,” said Kizer. “We collect urine [for tests] before and after the fight.”