Floyd Mayweather backs down on steroid accusations in settlement with Manny Pacquiao

As reported earlier, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao have settled the defamation lawsuit Pacquiao filed in 2009, and BoxingScene.com has the statement from the office of retired judge Daniel Weinstein, who has been used many times as a boxing mediator over the years:

"Floyd Mayweather Jr., Floyd Mayweather Sr., Roger Mayweather and Mayweather Promotions wish to make it clear that they never intended to claim that Manny Pacquiao has used or is using any performance enhancing drugs, nor are they aware of any evidence that Manny Pacquiao has used performance enhancing drugs. Manny Pacquiao is a great champion, and no one should construe any of our prior remarks as claiming that Manny Pacquiao has used performance enhancing drugs."

In short, the Mayweathers have been forced to recant -- in a way, since they're saying they never intended to say that Pacquiao used performance-enhancing drugs, even though they definitely did -- and offer this position publicly as part of the settlement.

It's no surprise, but certainly notable, given the history between the two sides and the fact that the Mayweathers have indeed accused Pacquiao of using steroids or other PEDs in the past. This is pretty similar to what Golden Boy did not long after the suit was filed in order to get out of it.