By Sean Crose
Manny Pacquiao underwent successful surgery on his right shoulder on Thursday in Las Angeles (the name of the hospital where the surgery occurred has not been disclosed). A torn rotator cuff was the reason the pound for pound great found himself “under the knife.”
According to Fred Sternburg, Pacquiao’s publicist, surgeon Neal ElAttrache “could not be more pleased with the results and fully expects Manny to make a full recovery and be back in the ring.” Who the fighter called PacMan could face next and when, however, is a matter of conjecture.
Floyd Mayweather, the pound for pound king who bested Pacquiao with relative ease during last Saturday evening’s “Fight of the Century,” at the MGM Grand has expressed a willingness to face the Filipino legend yet again. That may be a tough sell for fans, however, many of whom feel stung by a rather uneventful original bout which ran close to one hundred dollars to view on Pay Per View.
Indeed, even Bob Arum, the head of Top Rank and Pacquiao’s promoter, appeared rather cool to the idea of Mayweather-Pacquiao II. ““No one’s ready to make any commitments to a rematch,” he was quoted as saying. “Manny was operated on. We’ll see how he does with his rehab and when he can get back in the gym and train.”
Truth be told, Pacquiao’s problems are proving to be more than just physical. The fact that the man clearly fought hurt on Saturday has rankled many. Indeed, so aggrieved (or just plain greedy) are some, that both Pacquiao and Mayweather are being taken to court.
“Disgruntled boxing fan sues Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in Manhattan court for boring fight” read a New York Daily News headline on Thusday. According to the News, “David Braunstein of West Nyack, seeks class action status and is similar to a $5 million suit filed in Las Vegas following the underwhelming fight last week.”
If reports are to be believed, Pacquiao had hurt his shoulder sparring while training for the fight. Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, had concerns, but felt the injury was healing as time went on. Apparently it wasn’t healing quickly enough, however.
To make matters, worse, team Pacquiao asked the Nevada State Athletic commission if a shot of the anti-inflammatory Toradol could be given to the fighter before the bout. The commission refused, arguing team Pacquiao did not document the injury beforehand, as required.
No matter what the reason, Pacquiao went into the ring on Saturday less than 100%, and now there’s consequences to be had. The Nevada commission, which is taking more than a bit of head for letting what was essentially legalese dampen a fight millions had paid to see, is going the Court TV route itself by taking legal action to learn whether or not Pacquiao can face perjury charges.
As for Pacquiao, he looked happy and relatively healthy in a selfie he supposedly took after surgery. If the reporting here is accurate, he should be back in good health in less than a year – ten months, to be exact. No matter who he were to face, the man would undoubtedly earn millions. Some people have good reason to smile.
