Mayweather balks at Pacquiao’s request for drug testing addendum in contract

So much for peace, love and understanding between the camps of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.

The sides appeared to be getting along as the countdown toward their May 2 megafight at the MGM Grand Garden continues, but the gloves came off Thursday after Pacquiao’s adviser, Michael Koncz, wanted Mayweather to agree to an addendum in the contract pertaining to drug testing.

Koncz wanted to add a clause that should either fighter test positive for anything on the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list, that fighter would have to pay a $5 million fine.

The USADA is handling the testing for the fight.

Mayweather’s camp quickly shot down the idea.

“That’s Michael Koncz running his mouth,” Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe said Thursday. “Clearly, Michael Koncz has nothing better to do. It’s just a lame attempt to generate some publicity.”

Koncz told the Los Angeles Times that if Mayweather had nothing to hide, why not agree to the stipulation.

“We’re not making accusations,” Koncz told the Times. “But it’s a reasonable request. I’m a little puzzled and a little dismayed that they wouldn’t agree to something this simple.”

Neither fighter ever has tested positive for drugs. Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 knockouts) has been fighting professionally since 1995, and Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) turned pro in 1996.

The first attempt to make the megafight in 2010 was derailed by Pacquiao’s refusal to submit to random urine and blood testing after Mayweather made it a late stipulation in negotiations.

After the negotiations fell apart, Pacquiao sued Mayweather for defamation and slander for saying that he had used performance-enhancing drugs. Pacquiao always has said he competed clean, and the case ultimately was settled out of court.

The USADA has begun random urine sampling and blood draws for both fighters. Pacquiao has been tested twice and Mayweather three times. The Nevada Athletic Commission is being kept abreast of the results of each test.

“You don’t change the rules once the game has started,” Ellerbe said. “We negotiated that part of the contract very closely. (Pacquiao) agreed to the terms as it pertained to drug testing for the fight. If you’re the manager, you should read the language in the contract before you let your fighter sign.”

Ellerbe said Mayweather will not be distracted by the attempt to change the deal.

“We’re focused on the fight,” Ellerbe said.

Mayweather attorney Jeremiah Reynolds wrote a letter to Pacquiao lawyer David Moroso saying Mayweather would not go along with the addendum, Ellerbe said.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.