 Mayweather (left) and Mosley will fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas
Floyd Mayweather Jr and Shane Mosley have agreed to undergo Olympic-style drug testing for their 1 May fight. Mayweather and Mosley met with officials from the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) last weekend to agree on a testing programme. The programme will include random blood tests before and after the fights. Mayweather's proposed fight with Manny Pacquiao collapsed in January after Pacquiao refused to yield to his rival's demands for random testing. The USADA testing involves the collection of athletes' blood and urine prior to and after the fight, with no advance warning. "I just want to show the world that boxing is a clean sport and it is my hope that all fighters will take a similar stance," said Mayweather, who will be challenging for Mosley's WBA welterweight crown in Las Vegas.  | 606: DEBATE |
"I think the testing programme is a great idea and I did not hesitate for a minute about agreeing to it," said Mosley, who has admitted to inadvertently using steroids before a fight with Oscar de la Hoya in 2003. "I believe today is another watershed moment in the advancement of anti-doping," said USADA chief Travis Tygart. "For the first time, we're seeing professional athletes in the sport of boxing approach us to implement our programme, and take ownership for the integrity of their sport. "This is courageous action and we are proud to be a part of this effort to help further advance the rights of clean athletes to participate in a safe, level and drug-free arena." Testing in boxing usually falls under the jurisdiction of state athletic commissions, and in most cases is limited to urine testing. Philippine legend Pacquiao would not agree to blood-testing in the 30 days prior to his proposed fight with Mayweather. He also stipulated that he would agree to testing by the same agencies that test pro American Football and baseball players, but not to random tests by the USADA. Five-weight world champion Pacquiao has fought in Las Vegas on numerous occasions and never failed a drug test.
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