By Carlos Boogs
According to orthopedist Dr. Neal ElAttrache, he "could not be more pleased" with the results of Manny Pacquiao's surgical procedure on his right shoulder. The boxer underwent surgery in Los Angeles for an injury that was aggravated during last Saturday night's twelve round decision loss Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. ElAttrache says the recovery process will take four to six months.
The injury was first suffered during a sparring session in early April. The shoulder appeared to be getting better as the fighter's camp went along, but it gave out on him during the fourth round of the fight with Mayweather.
There has been a lot of controversy over the injury, with Nevada State Athletic Commission pursing a potential perjury charge against the fighter because he didn't reveal the injury on the medical questionnaire that was filled out a day before the fight.
Less than two hours before the fight, Pacquaio's team attempted to get him an anti-inflammatory medication shot, which the commission denied because they had no prior knowledge of the injury. The medication had been approved by USADA [United States Anti-Doping Agency], who were handling the random drug testing protocol for both boxers.
At least five lawsuits have been filed in various states by consumers who felt deceived by the promotion, because Pacquiao's injury was not revealed until the post-fight press conference.
Mayweather is open to a rematch with Pacquiao in 2016, when the Filipino star heals up and is ready to go. Mayweather is first planning to return on a date in September and Amir Khan is being mentioned as a potential candidate for the fight.
