Whether you're willing to accept the fact or not, there are still many that believe Manny Pacquiao is cheating the sport of boxing. He didn't do anything wrong. He never failed a drug test, nor was he listed as a client of a known PED supplier. He simply was accused by a potential opponent one Floyd Joy Mayweather Jr.
For the most part, Pacquiao supporters still support their man. They mount their keyboards and take to the internet forums and chat rooms in an effort to glorify Pacquiao and trash Mayweather. The Mayweather supporters are standing behind their man on the other side of the line. They too hit the net and trash Pacquiao in order to defend Mayweather. Those stuck on the fence have tried to remove themselves from the hate-filled debate as the "Pactards" and "Flomos" battle it out.
What exactly has caused the debate over the accusations of Pacquiao's alleged PED use to last so long?
The battle is fueled constantly by the principles, as every interview with Manny Pacquiao or Freddie Roach is loaded with Mayweather questions. Likewise, every interview that Floyd Mayweather has been involved in has been loaded with inquiries into Mayweather's thoughts on Manny Pacquiao. And the quotes given by Pacquiao, Roach, and the Mayweathers make great headlines that keep the feud raging on.
As Pacquiao prepares for his March 13 bout with former IBF welterweight champion Joshua Clottey, he has tried in vain to keep his focus squarely on the tough task at hand: the concrete-chinned Joshua Clottey. Clottey has earned the reputation as a guy that can take whatever is thrown at him. The now infamous Antonio Margarito was unable to finish off a one-handed Clottey. Miguel Cotto got the slight nod over Clottey in June of 2009, but was unable to score the knockout. Clottey has stepped in the ring 39 times as a professional and has yet to have been knocked out. To the best of my knowledge, he has never even been so much as seriously staggered, save for the flash knockdown at the hands of Miguel Cotto.
Pacquiao may find himself riding along the edge of a blade on March 13. Struggle for 12 rounds against Clottey, and people will say he didn't take Clottey seriously. Destroy him and some may raise a suspicious eyebrow.
Most are expecting Pacquiao to easily dominate Clottey en route to a decision victory. Some are predicting a knockout. If Pacquiao dispatches of Clottey in a manner similar to that in which he disposed of Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto, will the accusations of PED use make a comeback? That may be the question left to those that have sat on the fence regarding Pacquiao's alleged PED use. What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.