LAS VEGAS—Something strangely unprecedented may be going on in the administration of blood tests on Manny Pacquiao for his May 2 showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
This surfaced Thursday after Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s chief trainer, rued that his ward has been tested no less than 12 times by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada).
“Yes, 12 times, in just under two months,” Roach told BoxingScene.com.
READ: Manny Pacquiao undergoes third drug test for fight against Mayweather
“We’ve been tested in our gym over 12 times this training camp,” said Roach. “I hope it’s even (on their end). I don’t know about the other training camp, but we’ve been tested, by blood test, over 12 times.”
Another article revealed that Usada has tested Pacquiao eight times in the last seven weeks, virtually confirming Roach’s statement.
There has been no report on whether Mayweather has been tested by Usada which, in one instance, took four vials of blood from Pacquiao, according to Roach.
Meanwhile, the Mayweather camp has reportedly demanded to see Pacquiao’s groin protector.
Official representatives were sent recently to Pacquiao, who let them inspect his protector. The inspectors did not make any comment.