Mayweather/Pacquiao: Scrap the drugs and drama...just be done!

Filipino Manny Pacquiao defeats drama, drug allegations, now aims for Mayweather.

AP

OK....I knew it was too good to be true, and you probably did as well.

For the second time recently, what seemed to be an easy negotiations period has failed (yet again) to produce final results.

Leading up to the Pacquiao/Cotto showdown, fight fans may remember being under the same impression quite often that things were in place, only to learn time and time again that there were still key elements of the contractual agreement to be hashed out.

Of the many things to be considered in this fight, the weight, glove size, and more trivial issues have been resolved; yet a week following much progress has still managed to squander away the opportunity to yeild an official announcement.

At last glance, the location, (Dallas Cowboys Stadium or the MGM Grand), was still being hashed out, but due to the hush-hush position of both sides, few truly know what other issues remain unsettled.

Among the new tidbits leaking out is an ordered randomized drug testing for illegal substances between the two fighters.

The herculean efforts of Manny Pacquiao against Miguel Cotto left many wondering whether or not there was more than meets the eye; as critics continue to doubt his efforts were clean.

As untimely as this randomized drug testing is, it serves as a way to officially crystalize the reputation of Pacquiao, whom by his own admission rarely even takes an advil or pain-killer, let alone anything else more physically damaging.

Some call it accurate, others view as the latest installment of head games between the two fight camps, but technically, it's a formality that EVERY athlete should take part in, not just the likes of Mayweather and Pacquiao.

Hopefully, this will serve as a new measure for the entire sport.

Having Pacquiao singled out for the testing can be viewed as a snub, but considering his pioneering spirit in the sport, who better to usher in a new precedent that positively changes the way the game is played.

It's nice to know that we could be on the brink of a medical advancement in boxing, but right now, speaking on behalf of the average fan, I think we'd all simply settle for advancement of the fight itself.

Hopefully the promoters know this and act accordingly.