The Nevada State Athletic Commission is contesting the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s (USADA) decision to approve an intravenous treatment that Floyd Mayweather Jr. received before his welterweight unification fight with Manny Pacquiao on May 2 in Las Vegas.
After weighing in on May 1, Mayweather returned home and received a drip that contained a mixture of saline and Vitamin C to fight dehydration, according to the Los Angeles Times. The 38-year-old won the bout by unanimous decision.
Administering large amounts of fluids intravenously before a fight is illegal under World Anti-Doping Agency rules. But in Nevada, such procedures are allowed within certain guidelines. Fighters must submit a therapeutic-use exemption (TUE) and then receive authorization from the commission’s medical expert, according to Bob Bennett, the executive director of the commission.
But the USADA apparently approved Mayweather’s treatment without informing the commission.
“USADA never told us prior to the IV that they had their own TUE, and they never kept us informed about it being administered,” Bennett told the Los Angeles Times. “If they think they can do what they want, where and whenever they want in the state of Nevada, they are grossly mistaken.”
The USADA denies any wrongdoing. “Mr. Mayweather’s use of the IV was not prohibited under the NSAC rules at that time and would not be a violation of the NSAC rules today,” read a statement.
Mayweather likewise insists he acted by the book.
The USADA also failed to inform the commission of Pacquiao’s request for an anti-inflammatory on the night of the fight. The Filipino was subsequently barred from receiving the injection by the commission and complained of shoulder pain following his loss.
While anti-doping agencies fight about the legality of Mayweather’s IV treatment, the boxer will return to the ring on Saturday night for a fight against Andre Berto. If Mayweather wins, he will tie heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 record.
[Los Angeles Times]
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