NOTHING TO HIDE: Pacquiao undergoes test.

Proof that he has nothing to hide, Manny Pacquiao finally underwent a urine test Wednesday, sample of which was brought by World Anti-Doping Agency(Wada) accredited doctor Alex Pineda to Manila from General Santos City.

Pineda, who is also associated with the Philippine Olympic Committee(POC),conducted the test at around mid-afternoon and then promptly returned back to Manila later in the day bringing with him the sample specimens.

Two samples labeled 'A' and 'B' and totaling 100ml. where taken by Pineda and will be sent to Thailand, Malaysia or China for further analysis.

"We're bringing the samples to this country because we don't have a Wada-accredites testing here," said Pineda.

The test was in compliance with the order of the Nevada State Athletic Commissions under chjairman Pat Lundvall for both Pacquiao and American Floyd Mayweather Jr. to submit themselves for a urine test within the next 48 hours in an effort to save their proposed March 13 mega-welterweight fight following a major disagreement on drug testing procedures.

Keith Kizer, the executive director of the Nevada-based commissions, said possible fines or suspension will be meted on either fighter in the event they failed to comply with the requirements.

"I don't know if this will help the chances of the fight happening. But will all this talk of drug tests, let's actually do one," Kizer said.

The Mayweather camp has yet to announce when teh flmboyant boxing superstar will undergo the same test.

According to Pineda, results of the test will either be sent to his office or to the Games and Amusements Board under chairman Eric Buhain.

It was Buhain who requested Pineda to go to General Santos City and conduct the test.

Pacquiao quickly took the test as his family is set to celebrate the birthday of his eldest daughter, Mary Divine Grace.

Despite the first positive sign that both fighters are not walking away from what many expects to be the richest bout in boxing history, both camps remain adamant on their respective demands on how to go about the blood testing procedure prior to the fight.

Bob Arum, whose Top Rank Promotions holds the right on the 31-year old Filipino boxing champ, had given the Mayweather camp a final-offer on Sunday, proposing three blood tests on each of the fighters and none within 30 days of the fight.

Pacquiao has said he fears having blood drawn less than 30 days before the fight would weaken him.

But Mayweather's camp issued a statement the following day indicating Pacquiao's reluctance to undergo blood testing within 30 days before the fight remained a stumbling block.

"Let the record be clear: Manny Pacquiao and his promotor Bob Arum are threatening to walk away from the largest fight in history," said in the statement released by Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions.

SOURCE: PEOPLE'S JOURNAL

AUTHOR: GERRY RAMOS

Nevada tries to end test impasse

LAS VEGAS, Nevada(AFP)- Nevada boxing officials are trying to end the dope test impasse threatening the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather megafight, but their demand for immediate urine tests may not solve the problem.

The Nevada State Athletic Commissions said Monday that both Filipino superstar Pacquiao and Mayweather must submit to the tests within 48 hours or face possible fines or suspension by the commission.

"That at least starts the ball rolling," said Keith Kizer, the commission's executive director.

But Mayweather's camp issued statement on Monday indicating Pacquiao's reluctance to undergo blood testing within 30 days before the fight remained a stumbling block.

"Let the record be clear: Manny Pacquiao and his promoter Bob Arum are threatening to walk away from the largest fight in history," statement from Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions said Monday.

Arum had given the Mayweather camp a final offer on Sunday, proposing three blood tests on each of the fighters and none within 30 days of the fight.

Pacquiao has said the fears having blood drawn less than 30 days before the fight would weaken him.

Arum said he would open negotiations for a fight with Paul Malignaggi if Mayweather's camp didn't agree.

There appeared to be progress later in the day, however, after Mayweather's camp noted that broadcaster HBO's "24/7" programme following Pacquiao's preparation for his fight againts Ricky Hatton showed Pacquiao having blood drawn 14 days before he knocked out the Englishman.

Mayweather's promoter, Richard Schaefer, said he was told that, with that in mind, representatives of Arum's Top Rank would talk early Tuesday to Pacquiao in the Philippines to see if he would agree to a cut off date for blood testing closer to the fight date than 30 days.

"We were at two days (before the fight), and I assume Pacquiao is at 14 days ," said Schaefer said.

"Let's see if somehow there can be a compromise found that maintains the integrity of the tests. If that can be done in a manner acceptable to Pacquiao, I will take it to Mayweather's team."

There is plenty of incentive to get past the problems and get in the ring. The fight, scheduled for March 13 in Las Vegas could be the biggest moneymaker in boxing history.

Unbeaten US star Mayweather says the blood tests, which could detect substances not found by urine tests, are vital to ensure a fair fight, although blood tests are not routinely used in boxing.

"It is disappointing for us to see that the benefits of blood testing and the fact that many different substances and procedures can only be detected by blood testing, are still not fully understood by all," the Mayweather camp statement said.

"Their "take it or leave it" approach, where blood testing would stop 30 days prior to the fight unless the Nevada State Athletic Commission chairman Pat Lundvall ordered the urine-based tests, under an out-of-competition testing regulation that went into effect last year.Kizer said he informed both fighters that they must take the urine tests, saying Pacquiao would have to find an accredited agency to conduct his in the Philippines.

"We're always hopeful that when we do drug testing it comes back negative," Kizer said. "I don't know if this will help the chances of the fight happening. But with all this talk of drug tests, let's actually do one.

SOURCE: PEOPLE'S JOURNAL