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Proposed Mayweather, Pacquiao fight in jeopardy

Baltimore Sun

The proposed mega-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. was thrown into jeopardy Tuesday when Mayweather's camp demanded that both fighters be subjected to Olympic-type drug testing in the weeks leading up to the bout. Mayweather's manager said the fight would not go on if Pacquiao didn't agree to blood testing under standards followed by the United States Anti-Doping Agency. Mayweather's camp claims it was told Pacquiao would not agree to have his blood tested within 30 days of the fight because of personal superstitions. But Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, said he could live with some testing, as long as it wasn't too close to the fight and wasn't overly intrusive. Roach said he hoped the issue wasn't brought up as a way to get Mayweather out of the fight. The fight, which promises to be the richest ever, had widely been expected to be formalized this week, with an official announcement Jan. 6. It was expected to be held at the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas, with the biggest live gate ever. But neither fighter has signed formal contracts and there have been disputes between representatives of the two fighters ever since Mayweather's promoter pulled out at the last minute from a trip to Texas, where Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was to make a proposal to host the bout.

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