"I think steroids are rampant in boxing. I think it's disgusting and unfair. I don't know why the commissions aren't taking more action. In baseball, it's gone from aesthetic to the Department of Justice. You don't think they should be investigated in boxing? We all know in boxing the problem is rampant...If I had Floyd Mayweather, I'd do the same thing...I heard Lou Dibella say the only way Ortiz could have a rematch with Berto is random drug testing...All world titles fights should be tested," stated promoter Gary Shaw, who spoke to Fighthype.com on a number of issues, including his thoughts on performance-enhancing drugs in the sport, the upcoming title clash between Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson, and his legal battle with Timothy Bradley. Check it out!
On the subject of steroids in the sport of boxing...
"I think steroids are rampant in boxing. I think it's disgusting and unfair. I don't know why the commissions aren't taking more action. In baseball, it's gone from aesthetic to the Department of Justice. You don't think they should be investigated in boxing? We all know in boxing the problem is rampant...If I had Floyd Mayweather, I'd do the same thing...I heard Lou Dibella say the only way Ortiz could have a rematch with Berto is random drug testing...All world titles fights should be tested. If the commissions aren't going to do it, the sanctioning bodies should get behind it. They charge us for belts, insurance, welfare funds, legal funds. Let's get steroid testing and have the sanctioning bodies get behind it. If you really want to do it, let's get real steroid testing. Let's get boxing back to where it was many, many years ago."
Shaw's response when asked about Manny Pacquiao...
"I don't know about Manny, but how do these guys bring their power from 108 and be faster and stronger...I'm not a doctor. I just know I can look at someone's physique from one or three fights before and be suspicious...But I can't challenge Manny because he's been spectacular. Why would I accuse him of roids when I don't know? There are some guys who are just freaks and maybe Manny is one of those guys."
On his fighter, Chad Dawson, as he prepares for his upcoming title shot against Bernard Hopkins...
"I sincerely believe he is gonna beat Bernard Hopkins. Hopkins won't get into his head. The addition of Winky Wright has been great, and John Scully has done an amazing job. A lot of people wouldn't call it an upset because Chad is still considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. He would have beat [Jean] Pascal if they didn't take it away from him."
When asked about Dawson's last performance against Adrian Diaconu...
"It's hard to fight a guy who is trying to survive. I think in Chad's fights against Tarver and Glen Johnson, a lot of people thought he should have knocked them out."
On his current legal battle with junior-welterweight champion Timothy Bradley...
"He's in a lawsuit and until that lawsuit goes to court or is settled out, to myself and Thompson Boxing's satisfaction, you won't see him in the ring this year. I don't believe this will be resolved anytime soon."
On the status of super middleweight Andre Dirrell...
"We're looking for a date to put him in a tune-up fight. Then we're going to put him right back at the top of the division...We don't know if we have an ESPN date or not...First we need a date, and then we'll get an opponent."
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