MANILA, Philippines – Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) big bosses Oscar de la Hoya and Richard Schaefer defended their statements on Manny Pacquiao’s alleged steroids use, saying that their comments were “opinions and reasonable questions.”

According to Jason Aniel of PhilBoxing.com, GBP maintained that “their statements about Pacquiao’s possible PED use were opinions and reasonable questions based on the facts that lead to suspicion that Pacquiao is using illegal PEDs.”

GBP filed a motion to dismiss Pacquiao’s defamation complaint against GBP President de la Hoya and CEO Schaefer last week.

Pacquiao filed the said lawsuit against the GBP executives as well as Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Floyd Mayweather, Sr. and Roger Mayweather for alleging that he was taking performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

The motion, however, only seeks to relieve de la Hoya and Schaefer from the defamation complaint.

It also said that Pacquiao’s refusal to undergo random blood testing, which was demanded by Mayweather, “created the suspicion of PED use.”

Pacquiao and his camp vehemently denied the PED use allegations. They also said they will follow the requirements of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, not the demands of Mayweather.

Amended complaint

Pacquiao’s lawsuit was amended last month to include recent comments made by Mayweather’s uncle, Roger.

The amended complaint also seeks damages in excess of $5,000,000.

Schaefer, meanwhile, hired Pacquiao’s former lawyer Judd Burstein for the case.

Burstein represented Pacquiao when the Filipino boxing icon sued former promoter Murad Muhammad in 2005.

Blood testing discord

The disagreement on the blood testing protocol caused the cancellation of the March 13 blockbuster bout between Pacquiao and Mayweather.

Pacquiao pushed through with his March 13 schedule against Ghanaian Joshua Clottey in the fight card “The Event.”

The pound-for-pound king retained his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title at the Cowboys Stadium via unanimous decision.

Mayweather, on the other hand, will clash with World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight super champion Shane Mosley on May 1 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Both American fighters agreed to undergo random urine and blood drug testing. – With a report from PhilBoxing.com