Pacquiao’s shoulder surgery a success

Filipino boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao before his megabout with American undefeated boxer Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 2. (Photo by Steve Marcus)

Eight-division world boxing champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao underwent an intensive surgery for a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder last Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Pacquiao’s orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttarche of the Kerland Jobe Orthopedic Clinic, announced that the operation was successful and that he ‘could not be more pleased’ with the results.

Pacquiao’s arthroscopic procedure only took about two hours and was an outpatient operation, so there was no need for him to stay in the hospital. However, he is expected to be out of the ring for a period of four to six months for a full recovery.

“The surgeon is one of the best in the world and it’s a pretty common procedure,” Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, said.

Pacquiao got the injury from his training in his megabout with American undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., whom he lost to via unanimous decision. The Filipino boxer was able to recover prior the fight but got reinjured during the fourth round when he threw multiple right jabs.

“On May 2, Manny did the best he can do and Floyd was a little better, and he deserves to enjoy his victory,” Pacquiao’s adviser, Michael Koncz said.

Pacquiao described his pain during the boxing match as ‘a needle being stuck’ in his shoulder.  His camp earlier requested a painkiller injection hours before the superfight started but was rejected as they had checked a ‘no’ in the question of a shoulder injury in the medical questionnaire submitted a day before the bout.

For their defense, Pacquiao’s camp asserted that they communicated the injury to the United States Anti-Doping Agency. Arum also clarified that they answered no in the question of a shoulder injury as Pacquiao’s injury was an ‘old one,’ which he got weeks before the fight. Hence, they had no intention to deceive.

But due to Pacquiao’s nondisclosure of a tear in his right shoulder, he may then face disciplinary actions from the Nevada State Athletic Commission. He could be fined or suspended for not accurately filling out the medical form.

The 36-year-old boxer had also recently been charged of defraud by two boxing fans who bought tickets to their fight. At least four other lawsuits from different states in the U.S. are filed against him and his handlers.

Meanwhile, Mayweather expressed his willingness of a rematch with Pacquiao, saying that he will ‘fight him in a year after his surgery.’ To this, Pacquiao’s camp had no response yet.

“Right now, all I’m focused on is Manny’s health and how the shoulder reacts to surgery,” Arum said.