The WBO title fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao on March next year is off, at least according to Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum.

Arum says that the March 13 fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather will not continue because of demands by Mayweather’s camp for Pacquiao to undergo Olympic-style drug testing procedures.

“We don’t object to more extensive drug testing, even though it’s certainly not required in Nevada,” relates Arum, referring to the fact that Las Vegas bouts do not mandate measures as extensive as the Olympics. “What we’re saying is that the drug testing he is proposing is intrusive and would disturb Pacquiao’s training if it’s done within 30 days of his fight.”

Pacquiao has agreed to have his blood drawn for tests before and after the Mayweather bout – just not 30 days before.

“My gut feeling is Mayweather doesn’t want to do the fight and this is his excuse, period,” concludes Arum.

Arum has suggested to use instead the drug agencies who test NBA, NFL and MLB players, because they are generally accepted and only perform random urinalysis – which has no effect on the athlete, as opposed to having blood drawn.

Pacquiao was to defend the WBO title that he won by beating Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas last November against the undefeated Mayweather this March.

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