The veteran boxing journalist who wrote the investigative report alleging Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s use of an IV treatment before the Manny Pacquiao fight stood by his article.
Sportswriter Thomas Hauser reacted to the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s (USADA) statement disputing his allegations that alluded a cover up on the agency’s part regarding Mayweather’s use of intravenous injection despite the prohibition of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
In a statement posted on RingTV.com, Hauser said “no amount of self-serving rhetoric from USADA can change” the facts presented in his SB Nation article.
Among the facts Hauser pointed out were:
1. The IV was administered at Floyd Mayweather’s home after the weigh-in on May 1. USADA learned about the IV on that date.
2. The 2015 WADA “Prohibited Substances and Methods List” states, “Intravenous infusions and/or injections of more than 50 ml per 6 hour period are prohibited except for those legitimately received in the course of hospital admissions, surgical procedures, or clinical investigations.”
3. The above-referenced prohibition is in effect at all times that the athlete is subject to testing. It exists because, in addition to being administered for the purpose of adding specific substances to a person’s body, an IV infusion can dilute or mask the presence of another substance that is already in the recipient’s system or might be added to it in the near future.
4. Mayweather-Pacquiao was contested on May 2.
5. Mayweather applied for a therapeutic use exemption on May 19 (or 17 days after the fight).
6. USADA granted the therapeutic use exemption on May 20 (18 days after the fight).
7. USADA did not notify the Nevada State Athletic Commission about the IV until May 21 (nineteen days after the fight).
Unlike Mayweather, Pacquiao’s request to be injected with Toradol, a pain killer deemed legal under WADA standards, was denied by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). The commission denied the request because it was not made in a timely manner.
The Filipino boxer was seeking the medicine to ease the pain of his torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. It is that same injury that reportedly hampered Pacquiao while he was going after Mayweather during their mega fight last May.
As a result, the Filipino boxer lost via unanimous decision.
A day after Hauser's article was published, Pacquiao came out with a statement saying he felt vindicated by the report.
Pacquiao initially demanded Mayweather's punishment, but later relented and said he'd respect the decision of the NSAC.
The Filipino superstar said he'd leave it to fight fans to decide on Mayweather's credibility.
“The fans know what happened,” the eight-division former world champion said in Filipino. “They (Mayweather camp) can’t cover this up and they know this. It pays to have peace of mind.”
The USADA, meanwhile, came to Mayweather's rescue by refuting Hauser's article.
"It is unfortunate and extremely disappointing to have to address articles riddled with significant inaccuracies and misrepresentations based on unsubstantiated rumors as well as anonymous or self-interested sources that have recklessly called our integrity into question. It is simply absurd to suggest that we would ever compromise our integrity for any sport or athlete," the USADA said in a statement.
"Although the articles in question contain a multitude of errors, all of which will be addressed at the appropriate time, we believe it is important to immediately correct the record regarding the false suggestion that Floyd Mayweather violated the rules by receiving an IV infusion of saline and vitamins."
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