Juan Manuel Marquez and his strength and conditioning coach have responded to allegations of anabolic steroid use made by an upcoming opponent. Freddie Roach, the legendary boxing trainer for Manny Pacquiao, attributed Marquez dramatic physique transformation to the use of steroids. Roach was so convinced that Marquez is a steroid user that he promised to “kiss his ass” if he was proven wrong.
“You can say anything you want, but [if] you don’t have any proof, it means nothing,” Marquez said. “I told them I am willing to take any exam they want. Let’s go together, we’ll do it together.”
Marquez was surprised that the Pacquaio camp would stoop to making such unsubstantiated allegations regard performance-enhancing drug (PED) use. After all, Pacquiao has been on the receiving end of such accusations for years by Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his entourage.
“Before the last camp, there were accusations about [Pacquiao], people saying things, and we didn’t care,” said Marquez. “We never brought it up. For this fight, all of a sudden they are attacking me. I say we do [a blood test] now.”
Roach’s comments may not be entirely without merit. Many observers have assumed ‘guilt by association’ since Marquez has been working with a known steroid dealer.
Marquez’s strength and conditioning coach is Angel Hernandez. He once went by another name, Angel Guillermo “Memo” Heredia.
A few years ago Hernandez aka Heredia was a steroid source for several elite athletes. But he got caught. And then he cooperated closely with federal investigators during the BALCO scandal. He reportedly disclosed to the feds the names of at least a dozen clients involved in athletics. He was never charged with a crime.
When asked to respond to Roach’s allegations, Hernandez maintained that he and his clients are doing nothing in violation of the law.
“I think it’s absurd – ridiculous – coming from a Hall of Famer,” Hernandez told USA TODAY. “You cannot speak without having any proof. It is a faulty allegation on his part. It’s not Manny; he has been a gentleman. Perhaps (Roach) is scared about the fight.”
Both Marquez and Hernandez have been frustrated by the steroid accusations. They have promised to submit to steroid testing consistent with the guidelines set forth by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) – after the “Pacquaio vs. Marquez IV” bout is behind them.
“I’d be happy to do it,” Marquez. “As long as the guy I’m fighting does the same thing. If there is going to be a level field, it has to be level for everyone.”
Marquez fights Pacquiao on n December 8, 2012.
Source:
Mannix, C. (December 4, 2012). Marquez, Hernandez deny steroid accusations made by Roach. Retrieved from http://mma-boxing.si.com/2012/12/04/marquez-hernandez-deny-steroid-accusations-made-by-roach/
Sarceno, J. (December 6, 2012). ‘Memo’ to Roach: Steroid comments ‘absurd, ridiculous’. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/boxing/2012/12/06/memo-to-roach-you-cant-speak-on-steroids-without-proof/1750233/
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