Manny Pacquiao agrees to do Olympic-style testing with VADA, but …

According to Fred Sternberg, a spokesman working the Nov. 23 fight in China between Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios (on HBO pay-per-view), the two fighters agreed months ago to do Olympic-style drug-testing under the umbrella of the Volunteer Anti-Doping Association.

A story that appeared Wednesday on YahooSports.com reported that Pacquiao signed the contract for that testing Wednesday.

When Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao first began negotiations for a fight between themselves some 3 1/2 years ago – a fight that has not happened – this is the type of random testing Mayweather wanted Pacquiao to do as it is considered more extensive than the basic testing typically done by boxing commissions.

Although Pacquiao later agreed to do the testing, his initial refusal put a cloud of suspicion over him regarding possible steroid use because he had moved up so many weight classes and still retained his power.

The testing for this fight is a good thing, but even if all his tests return clean, there will still be those out there wondering if Pacquiao was clean three years ago.

Pacquiao has never tested positive for steroids.

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