NYSAC looking to update drug testing policies

According to the New York Post, the New York State Athletic Commission may be taking steps to upgrade its drug testing policies to blood testing.   Presently, the NYSAC only tests pre- and post-fight urine samples, which is in line with most major American athletic commissions.

"We're in the process of doing the research now," Lathan said. "We have been for several weeks. We're going to upgrade our testing policies. As soon as my medical advisory board gets back to me with their findings, we're going to look over their recommendations."

 

"We're tossing around a lot of policies," Lathan said. "We're trying to find out which ones work better for our state, for our boxers and for boxing. We're trying to get what works, and once we get all of those things together, then we'll come out with a statement about our policies."

This has been a hot button issue recently in the sport, ever since a proposed superfight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao fell apart due to Mayweather's insistence on Olympic-style drug testing for the fight.  Since then, there has been some discussion and movement in the subject, particularly with Sauerland's new TV deal reportedly including a rider that all of its fights would need to include Olympic-style drug testing. 

It will probably be a while before any actual changes are made - these are beaurocracies we're dealing with, and the government needs to perform its diligence and analyze whether the benefits outweigh the obvious costs - but it's nice to see that the commissions are taking a step in the right direction.