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Floyd Mayweather has decided to formally reject rival Manny Pacquiao’s offer of a $5 million penalty in the event that either fighter fails a drug test before or after their highly-anticipated fight on May 2.
According to Michael Koncz, Pacquiao’s advisor, Pacquiao suggested a contractual agreement that would force both boxers to agree to pay one or the other in the event of a positive test. It was a simple idea, if Pacquiao failed, he would have to pay the agreed $5 million to Mayweather and vice versa.
After the idea was sent to Mayweather’s legal representatives, the offer was soon declined. Mayweather does not want to take part and made it known that the reason a fight discussed between the two never went through back in 2009 was because Pacquiao did not want to undergo full drug testing. That same year, Pacquiao filed a lawsuit against Mayweather, saying that his opponent defamed him by suggesting he was a performance-enhancing drug under. In 2012, the case was settled.
Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum understands why Mayweather’s legal team rejected the idea, stating that “the other camp would be able to sue for far more than $5 million.”
The fight coming up in May is expected to be the most intense of all-time and is expected to top pay per views sales by more than three million. The potential payout for this fight is upwards of $120 million.
