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Slowly, slowly I am starting to figure this stuff out. I know that the fights I watch today have a different rhythm and flow than in years past. I am told during passing conversations with the odd professional athlete I meet that “everyone” is doing something. Yet the mainstream media often lauds the efficacy of drug testing.

In an article that is groundbreaking and essential reading for the modern sports fan, lawyer Patrick English, on The Seconds Out website, pulls back the curtain on dope testing and reveals an unholy mess. (English is a veteran of numerous drug testing and drug testing protocols cases - he references three experts during the course of the article; Dr Caitlin, head of the “most respected” drug testing facility in the U S, the UCLA Olympic Testing Facility; Dr Sonksen, a fellow of the Royal Society of Physicians; Dr Yesalis, co-author of “extensive” studies on teen steroid use).

English states the current debate on drug testing is characterized by posturing, misinformation and incomplete information.

The top experts in the field agree on this point; there is currently no good test for Human Growth Hormones (HGH). No urine test will work and blood testing is impractical. In order to catch an athlete a blood test must be administered within 24 hours of the athlete taking the substance. Testing is currently a political manoeuvre designed to give the appearance of “doing something”. English writes, “…the truth is that the blood testing suggested for HGH is, at best, limited and impractical, and, at worst, scientifically suspect”.

The implications for all sports, not just boxing, are staggering. English, a knowledgeable and informed individual, is basically suggesting any athlete can use HGH with impunity. Is this what Globe and Mail columnist Stephen Brunt was darkly referring to when he said scientists were testing for a “horse and buggy” while athletes were driving “Ferraris”.  What would a fair appraisal of the NHL, NFL (stop snickering), the NBA and MLB reveal? Should a connoisseur of modern athletics care? Toss everything you think you know about modern competition.

Just over two years ago Manny Pacquiao, as a super featherweight, threw 325 power shots and 694 total shots while defeating Juan Manuel Marquez. In his most recent fight Pacquiao through 682 power shots and 1231 total, as a welterweight, while defeating Joshua Clottey. While Manny could easily serve as the poster child for some type of stimulant, it appears he is far from alone.

For a punter it is going to be extremely important to throw out the lessons of the past and instead adapt to the new realities. I felt foolish for advocating wagers against Pacquiao in his last two fights (against Miguel Cotto and Clottey) but now feel strangely justified and redeemed. The paradigm has shifted. The ground shifted under the handicapper’s feet. In the future a connected athlete will be able to move up with far greater efficiency and success. Drugs amplify existing talents and elite boxers can expect to compete effectively as they move up in weight with the assistance of HGH, EPO or whatever…

Watching a featherweight pound the snot out of Cotto had me puzzled, watching him incapacitate a brave and accomplished warrior like Clottey made me dubious and suspicious. It’s a brave new world, one featuring a muscle bulging, abs ripped, raging Genie that is never going back in the bottle.

He’d probably no longer fit.

ICE…yeah, that’s Nick Antropov leading the Atlanta Thrashers in points. The wonky ex Leaf was run out of town by the New York Rangers at the end of last season after a bout of indifferent play. Somehow, the Deep South must agree with the native of Kazakhstan…Christopher Higgins, once a highly regarded Montreal Canadiens prospect, has hit hard times. The burly winger has a paltry 17 points in 67 games this year for the Calgary Flames…Marian Gaborik, with 76 points in 66 games, certainly delivered for the New York Rangers. Wasn’t enough…

PUG LIFE…fans of geriatrics must be delighted with the boxing sked for the next three weeks; Erik Morales this Saturday, Roy Jones - Bernard Hopkins on April 3^rdand Evander Holyfield on April 10^th. Why do I envision so many wallets remaining emphatically shut?…on April 17^thKelly Pavlik fights Sergio Martinez in a genuine and interesting fight. Martinez is the underdog but has the sharper current form. Pavlik will need his “A” Game to overcome the fast and crafty Argentinian…Antonio Margarito returns on a card from Mexico on May 8^th. I am amazed that people care…

TURN LEFT…an indicator of the trouble plaguing the American economy surfaced when, for the first time in memory, Bristol did not sell out last Sunday. Over 50,000 seats were vacant for the traditionally SRO event…to make Jimmie Johnson more likeable, NASCAR is spending an awful lot of time talking about how the native of California was raised in a trailer park. Does that “up” the Primma Donnas’ street cred with stock car fans? Or is it just insulting?…

THE ‘HOOD…one bar patron urged another to watch Raging Bull so he could see “just how bad Robert DeNiro was as an actor”. I paused, looked to Hat Head to confirm I had heard the statement correctly, then calmly walked over and smashed my pint glass repeatedly into the moron’s head…well, I did it in my imagination, at least…we have this crazy man that dresses up as Axl Rose and can be seen on a daily basis hanging out in some of the seedier joints on the Danforth. I’ll admit to being more than a little curious concerning the dude’s choice of wardrobe and his seeming imperviousness to holding a job. As usual, when you need the info on the streets, you go to The Beat Poet. Dude is, the Poet assures me, as crazy as bat shit. The Poet once sat beside “Axl” as he berated his 90 year old mother for stealing some of his meds (at least he had the decency to take Mom out for a cocktail). The Poet also observed Mr Rose asking a fellow, who he had just met while standing in a checkout line, to come over to some dive for “a beer and a smoke”. Said fellow declined…