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Earlier this week, an SB Nation report alleged that Floyd Mayweather illegally took an IV prior to his fight against Manny Pacquiao. The report also alleged that the USADA was aware of the IV usage and that it retroactively gave Mayweather an exemption for it, but in doing so did not make the Nevada State Athletic Commision aware of the incident. 

Both Floyd Mayweather and the USADA have released statements regarding the report, with Floyd taking to Twitter on Thursday to address it. 

Unsurprisingly, Mayweather professed his innocence in very few words and then deflected attention towards his stance on drug-testing -- which he insists he's been at the forefront of for years. 

In his final tweet, he linked to the USADA's statement on the matter. Here is the USADA's statement:

Whether due to a genuine misunderstanding of the facts or an intentional desire to mislead, numerous unfounded and false accusations have been leveled against USADA in recent on-line articles.  Since our inception, USADA’s sole mission has been to protect clean sport.  As such, it is unfortunate and extremely disappointing to have to address articles riddled with significant inaccuracies and misrepresentations based on unsubstantiated rumors as well as anonymous or self-interested sources that have recklessly called our integrity into question.  It is simply absurd to suggest that we would ever compromise our integrity for any sport or athlete.

Although the articles in question contain a multitude of errors, all of which will be addressed at the appropriate time, we believe it is important to immediately correct the record regarding the false suggestion that Floyd Mayweather violated the rules by receiving an IV infusion of saline and vitamins.

As was already publicly reported in May of this year by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), Mr. Mayweather applied for and was granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) by USADA for an IV infusion of saline and vitamins that was administered prior to his May 2 fight against Manny Pacquiao.  Mr. Mayweather’s use of the IV was not prohibited under the NSAC rules at that time and would not be a violation of the NSAC rules today.  Nonetheless, because Mr. Mayweather was voluntarily taking part in a USADA program, and therefore subject to the rules of the WADA Code, he took the additional step of applying for a TUE after the IV infusion was administered in order remain in compliance with the USADA program. Although Mr. Mayweather’s application was not approved until after his fight with Mr. Pacquiao and all tests results were reported, Mr. Mayweather did disclose the infusion to USADA in advance of the IV being administered to him.  Furthermore, once the TUE was granted, the NSAC and Mr. Pacquiao were immediately notified even though the practice is not prohibited under NSAC rules.

Mayweather returns to the ring on Saturday night to face Andre Berto in what is, supposedly, going to be his final fight. Mayweather is looking to go 49-0 in his career, tying Rocky Marciano's undefeated record, but Floyd has never been a stranger to controversy.

We'll see what comes from this report, if anything.

You knew Floyd Mayweather would have a response. (USATSI)