Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather react to Brandon Rios’ failed drug test

Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Maywather both chimed in on the issue regarding Brandon Rios’ failed drug test. Pacquiao, who defeated Rios via unanimous decision, called for more sanctions for fighters in the future while Mayweather was more forgiving.

“In my next fight, I’ll stipulate on the contract that fines should be imposed on the fighter who will test positive (for a banned substance),” Pacquiao said in Filipino as he was interviewed by Dyan Castillejo. “Getting a suspension is not enough. They need to pay fines so that the fighter and trainer will be disciplined.”

Rios tested positive in the post-fight drug test administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA). He tested positive for the banned substance methylexanamine, a stimulant that is commonly known as dimenthylamylamine or DMAA, which helps in cutting down weight. Rios has ben suspended by China Professional Boxing Association until April 24, 2014.

ALSO READ: Brandon Rios fails post-fight drug test

“I wasn’t thinking about it until I got word (of the result). I was surprised because he was walking through my punches even if I was feeling the impact on my arms,” added Pacquiao.

Alex Ariza, Pacquiao’s former strength and conditioning coach tried to wiggle out of the situation by saying that the test done to Rios was questionable.

“The containers that are used to retrieve the urine samples weren't available after the fight. So they had Brandon pee into a (drinking) glass,’’ Ariza said in an interview with Ring Magazine’s Tim Smith.

“Robert just brought that to my attention. So we will have to see whether something happened as they transferred it to another glass, or whether it was the drinking glass, or there could be a lot of contaminants like that."

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Pacquiao however noted that he also underwent the same process and his test came out negative. “Whatever they did with him was also done to me,” Pacquiao explained. “It’s hard to try to get out of it.”

Mayweather, on the other hand, refused to say anything bad about Rios. “Keep you head up champ, stay focused,” he told Rios in a video by Ben Thompson of Fight Hype. “I’m not here to judge you. You’re only human. We all make mistakes. Keep your head up high. Just come back and bounce back like a true champion. I have nothing negative to say about anyone because no one is perfect.”

The undefeated American's stand is far from his opinion about the matter before. A couple of years ago, during the negotiations for a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, he was adamant about having VADA testing throughout the training camp. Mayweather claimed that he will spear-head cleaning up the sport of performance enhancing-drug and other banned substances. The disagreement between the two camps on the drug testing issue ultimately led to the negotiations. Now Mayweather had nothing but good words to say to Rios perhaps because Pacquiao is on the other side of the fence now.