Pacquiao’s negative drug test result not surprising - Koncz

The negative result of Manny Pacquiao's drug test was no surprise for Team Pacquiao. This was according to Michael Koncz, Pacquiao's Canadian adviser and liaison officer to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, when interviewed by GMANews.TV Saturday. "It was no surprise and we are not shock with the news. We (Team Pacquiao) knew that Manny will test negative since he’s not using any drugs when he trains for a fight," said Koncz, who made the formal announcement Saturday during a press conference at the Diamond Hotel in Manila. Koncz added that he should know if ever the reigning pound-for-pound king is really taking steroids. "I’m with Manny 24/7 and if there’s any person that can reveal if Manny is a drug user then that’s me." The Nevada Sports Athletic Commission (NSAC) released the results of Pacquiao’s drug test Friday (Saturday in Manila) where it showed the General Santos City boxer tested negative for drug use. Mayweather Jr., Pacquiao’s supposedly opponent in March, also tested negative.

Pacquiao, on Dec. 28, quickly complied with the urine test ordered by the NSAC after undergoing the procedure in General Santos City before World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited doctor Alex Pineda. Pacquiao’s sample was sent to a WADA-accredited testing center in Malaysia. He also tested negative for steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs after his 12-round TKO of Miguel Cotto last year. The Mayweathers – Floyd Jr., Sr. and Roger – along with Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) owner Oscar De La Hoya have accused Pacquiao of using performance enhancing drugs while ascending in weight that resulted to the Filipino boxing icon winning titles in seven different weight divisions. Team Pacquiao has filed a lawsuit against the Mayweathers, De La Hoya and GBP chief executive officer Richard Schaefer, who all accused the seven-division world champion of steroid use. "The negative test just showed that their accusations are ridiculous and baseless. It just showed that their demands are out of the line," said Koncz. "We agreed with the blood test. Pacquiao can have a blood test after the fight. I mean, if he is using steroids those drugs will remain in his system even after the fight," added Pacquiao’s long-time adviser.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Koncz also said that this will be the last time that they will be talking about the steroids issue. "From now on we will be focused for the Joshua Clottey fight but the lawsuit (against Mayweathers and De La Hoya) will proceed." "You can not easily erase the damage they have done against Manny. So we will let the court settle the issue." Pacquiao, after talks with his mega-fight with Mayweather Jr., will stake his World Boxing Organization title belt against Ghana’s Clottey on March 13 at the $1.3 billion dollar Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Team Pacquiao said that Mayweather Jr. feared that confronting Pacquiao would ruin his unbeaten 40-0 record. – Jonathan Perez/FVI, GMANews.TV