NSAC, not VADA to handle Pacquiao-Thurman drug testing

The fight takes place July 20th at the MGM Grand

In a bit of a puzzling move, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) won’t be handling drug testing for Manny Pacquiao’s July 20th bout with Keith Thurman. Instead, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) will take charge.

The WBC mandates VADA testing for ranked fighters as part of its “Clean Boxing Program,” but the WBA, whose “regular” and “super” titles are held by Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KO) and Thurman (29-0, 22 KO), respectively, does not. I can understand the fighters making this decision, but the optics ain’t great.

I trust NSAC about as far as I can throw executive director Bob Bennett, which is at least a couple yards if I get a good grip and he doesn’t wriggle too much. It’s not that I think Pacquiao or Thurman are juicing; I just don’t believe NSAC would administer the testing in the most efficient way possible or handle a positive outcome in an objective fashion.

This might just be me complaining for the sake of complaining, though. I was covering bare knuckle boxing when my boy The Korean Zombie got the best win of his career so I’m still a tad cranky.