Undefeated boxing champion Floyd Mayweather reportedly received an intravenous injection prior to his May title bout against Manny Pacquiao.
The substances, a combination of saline, vitamin C and multi-vitamins, are not technically banned, but according the SB Nation, “their intravenous administration is prohibited” by the World Doping Agency due to the ability to mask the presence of “performance enhancing drugs already in the recipient’s system or might be added to it in the near future.”
Additionally, Mayweather filed and was granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) 18 days after the fight.
According to USADA, “an athlete may have an illnesses or condition that requires the use of medication listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Prohibited List. USADA can grant a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) in these situations in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Agency International Standard for TUEs. The TUE application process is thorough and designed to balance the need to provide athletes access to critical medication while protecting the rights of clean athletes to complete on a level playing field.”
Pacquiao also filed for a Therapeutic Use Exemption three weeks prior to the fight — he requested the use of a numbing agent for a torn rotator cuff — yet was denied on the grounds that he didn’t fill out the proper paperwork.
Mayweather is scheduled to fight Andre Berto Sept. 12. He has publicly stated that it will be his last professional fight.