Mayweather 'never intended' to claim Pacquiao used performance-enhancing drugs

Flyod Mayweather and his entourage say they "wish to make it clear that they never intended to claim that Manny Pacquiao has used or is using any performance-enhancing drugs," in a statement released Tuesday (Wednesday, PHL time), as the two parties settled a defamation lawsuit filed by the Filipino congressman. Last September 20, the US judge presiding over the case had ordered Mayweather to pay Pacquiao "about $113,000 in legal fees," due to Mayweather's failure to appear for a court-ordered deposition. The statement also added that the named defendants, Mayweather Jr., his father Mayweather Sr., and his uncle Roger, are unaware of "any evidence Manny Pacquiao has used performance-enhancing drugs." It added, "Manny Pacquiao is a great champion and no one should construe any of our prior remarks as claiming that Manny Pacquiao has used performance-enhancing drugs." Stringent drug testing by the United States Anti-Doping Agency has long been one of Mayweather's requirements for a Pacquiao bout. In the past, "Pacman" had refused to have blood drawn close to the fight date, but in a recent interview on ESPN said, "Whatever he wants…no problem. Even the night of the fight, no problem." Pacquiao is slated to face Juan Manuel Marquez for a fourth time in December, but has said that he is willing to take a lower percentage of fight revenue in order to finally get into the ring against the undefeated "Money" Mayweather should he emerge victorious versus his Mexican opponent. - AMD, GMA news