If only this could have happened a few months ago.

Manny Pacquiao has released a statement saying that he is agreeing to the drug-testing terms that Floyd Mayweather, Jr. set as a pre-requisite for a possible showdown between the two top pound-for-pound boxers in the world.

Mayweather challenged Pacquiao to submit to testing for performance enhancing drugs up to 14 days prior to any agreed upon fight date between them.  Pacquiao balked at those terms, forcing of the biggest ever clashes to be postponed – and this led to Mayweather taking on “Sugar” Shane Mosley, whom Mayweather defeated in a lopsided 12-round decision. 

Pacquiao, also referred to as ”Pac-Man”, has been suspected by many as a possible users of PEDs.  Suspects note that Pac-Man has seamlessly made the transition through several weight classes, while appearing to gain more punching power and maintaining his blinding hand speed and uncanny stamina.

But this is a fight that needs to happen, and Pacquiao finally stepped up:

“I am willing to help the sport for the future of the sport. I do not want to see anyone cheat or cheat this sport. For that reason I am willing to consider taking blood as close as 14 days prior to the fight, as long as, my opponent does the same, and it is not a lot of blood, just enough to test. I do not want anyone having an unfair advantage where someone may get hurt. I am willing to do my part to help this sport out.” 

Shane Mosley proved to be a weak substitute for Manny Pacquiao.

In addition to testing prior to any proposed fight, Pacquiao has also agreed to testing immediately after the fight.

Now, Manny claims that he has not yet seen the fight between Mayweather and Mosley, but I find that hard to believe.  His statement comes on the heels of the fight – in fact, merely days after it.  I’m thinking that Pacquiao saw something that he can exploit.  And that something may have transpired in the second round, prior to Mosley’s gas tank becoming empty.

Mayweather may have had his own personal agenda for asking for the specifics of the drug testing, but it’s something that can only help the credibility of the sport.  In an era when we are forced to double-guess any records that are broken or any general accomplishments that are achieved, we are probably closer than we think to moving towards a more universal system of PED detection.  A boxer of Pac-Man’s stature can make a difference in the widespread acceptance of this type of testing.

So, now we’re all hanging on Mayweather rebuttal.  And if it anything but “let’s get it on,” then Mayweather is going to get criticized by many for having a yellow streak running down his back. 

Including me.