By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(©2009 Journal Group Link International)

C HICAGO, Illinois (JGLi) – A day after Manny Pacquiao collected his unprecedented seventh title in as many weights by crushing Puerto Rican champion Miguel Cotto, the cautionary tall tale weaved by the father of his future opponent loomed large again that Pacquiao might have gotten some outside help – the banned steroid substance.

But the Nevada Athletic Commission has brushed aside the yarn being peddled by Floyd Mayweather, Sr.

In an email to the Journal Group Link International Thursday (Nov. 19), Keith Kizer, executive director of the Nevada Athletic Commission, said, “Mr. Pacquiao and Mr. (Floyd) Mayweather, Jr. have been tested several times for drugs and/or steroids by the Nevada Athletic Commission, and have passed every such test.”

Most of the championship bouts of the two superstars were held in Las Vegas, Nevada, and were sanctioned by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

S hortly, after the Filipino superstar asserted his claim as boxing’s pound-for-pound king after his back-to-back wins over Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton, Floyd Mayweather, Sr., belittled the feats of Pacquiao, saying Pacquiao could not have done them if “it wasn't without help.”

The elder Mayweather told The Grand Rapids Press that Pacquiao “is on some type of supplements. I’m convinced about a lot of (boxers). That’s what they’re doing right now. Everybody should be checked a little bit more thoroughly. Sometimes, people know what’s going on but they ain’t saying nothing.”

Mayweather, Sr. added, "I don't think he can beat Lil' Floyd with steroids in him or not," Mayweather Sr. said. "He don't have that kind of talent. He don't have that kind of skill, whatever he has in him.

"I think they're pushing Pacquiao a little too much, even if he's got 'roids in his body. The steroids aren't going to make him no faster. It's going make him relentless and hit strong, but that's it. It ain't going to put no knowledge in your head."

With both Pacquiao and Mayweather, Jr. being cleared by the Nevada Athletic Commission for passing the drugs-and-steroids tests, it is another hurdle that the camps from both sides are able to sweep aside that could pave the way for their improbable blockbuster match up that could be the biggest pay-per-view of all time.

Steroids are performance-enhancing chemical substances that among others reduce swelling and pain and could build up muscle mass. Among its side effects are damage to liver, reproductive and cardiovascular systems, aggressiveness, depression, mood swings, altered libido, psychosis, mental addiction, cancer, impotence, infertility, baldness, pain and difficulty urinating. They are banned in baseball and other sports.

Mayweather, Sr., was the trainer of British Champion Ricky Hatton, whom Pacquiao knocked out in the second round. The senior Mayweather had predicted Hatton would beat Pacquiao. He said, when Pacquiao “beat the world legend Oscar de la Hoya, he was over the hill, now it’s time for you to swallow the same old pill.”

An email by this reporter to Mr. Pacquiao for comment was not answered.(lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)

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