Floyd Mayweather has formally rejected Manny Pacquiao’s offer of a $5 million penalty clause should either fighter fail a drug test before or after their May 2 mega-fight, Pacquiao’s advisor, Michael Koncz, told.
Pacquiao, according to Koncz, had suggested a contractual agreement that would force either the Filipino star or Mayweather, the world’s top pound-for-pound boxer, to pay the other man in the event of a positive test.
“It was very simple,” Koncz said by telephone. “If Manny failed a test, he would have to pay $5 million. If Floyd failed, he would have to pay $5 million.”
The deal was sent to Mayweather’s legal representatives but did not form part of the official term sheet for the bout, which stipulated full drug testing, to be carried out by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.
Koncz said that Pacquiao’s attorney, David Marroso, received notice that the arrangement had been rejected from Mayweather’s representative, Jeremiah Reynolds, on Thursday.
Mayweather cited Pacquiao’s initial refusal to undergo full drug testing as the primary reason for negotiations breaking down when a fight between the pair was discussed back in 2009.
That year, Pacquiao filed a lawsuit, alleging that Mayweather had defamed him by suggesting Pacquiao had used performance-enhancing drugs.
Mayweather’s advisor Leonard Ellerbe did not respond to requests for comment from USA TODAY Sports. Reynolds, reached by telephone, said queries regarding Pacquiao’s offer should be directed to Ellerbe.​
Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum was quizzed about the potential $5 million agreement last week and said he understood the reason Mayweather’s camp would not accept was because if either side did fail a drug test, the other camp would be able to sue for far more than $5 million.
The upcoming fight is expected to be the most lucrative of all-time, and early predictions are that it could top three million pay per view sales. The purse will be split 60-40 in favor of Mayweather, who could make as much as $120 million.
