Manny Pacquiao Camp Accuses Antonio Margarito of Ephedra Use

Long before Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito stepped in the ring, Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach wanted a pre-fight urinalysis test for Margarito. He accused Team Margarito of taking a bottle mixed with Ephedra, according to Billy Keane, who witnessed the wrapping of Antonio’s hands.

He later confirmed to Yahoo sports columnist Kevin Iole that he saw a Hydroxycut pill mixed with coffee given to Margarito; although Hydroxycut claimed it is Ephedra-free since 2004, it has the exact same formula with the presence of hydroxylean, which basically contains Ephedra.

So what is Ephedra? It is an herbal remedy in traditional Chinese medicine used for treatments of asthma and other respiratory ailments. It is also found in herbal products for weight loss, athletic performance and physical and mental stimulation. It is currently banned in the US.

Must Read: Manny Pacquiao's Top 10 Knockouts

Ephedra-containing supplements are associated with stroke, seizures, psychosis and even death. Many have tested positive, including the Argentine football legend Diego Maradona.

It suddenly made perfect sense: Margarito could have used the pill to get under the contracted weight limit considering his woes on weight issues. But everything is assumed and baseless.

Ephedra supplements are mostly used by athletes to enhance athletic performance and I hope this issue would prove to be a groundless accusation because if proven guilty this would be another stain on Margarito’s reputation.

He already has a massive advantage with his weight, height and reach. He was almost five inches taller and about 17 pounds heavier than Pacquiao on fight night. Taking athletic enhance supplements could have given him better chances of winning.

It was Pacquiao’s ring smarts, speed and accuracy that gave him a win, but if it was a lesser-known fighter, Margarito could have killed him.

Antonio is still innocent until proven guilty. But somehow, someone has to remind Margarito it’s not all about winning—it’s still how you play the game. He fought Manny Pacquiao valiantly in a losing effort and these accustations  could simply ruin everything.

Say isn’t so, Margarito…Say it isn’t so.