As expected, Manny Pacquiao had arthroscopic surgery to repair the torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. Pacman underwent the procedure in Los Angeles on Wednesday — just four days after losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the "Fight of The Century" that fizzled.
Dr. Neal ElAttrache – the same orthopedic surgeon who repaired Kobe Bryant's torn rotator cuff earlier this year – told ESPN that the 90-minute procedure went well and that he expects a recovery time of nine months to one year.
The question now is whether Mayweather will wait that long to grant Pacquiao a rematch in April 2016, as Pacman's promoter Bob Arum had suggested. After his unanimous win on Saturday night, Mayweather vowed that a September bout would be his last.
However, earlier this week, he text-messaged ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, saying he would be willing to give Pacquiao a rematch next year, after he recovers from his shoulder surgery.
While that remains to be seen, what's clear is that Pacquiao's road to recovery will be crowded with class-action lawsuits from fans and a possible fine and suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission — alleging that he hid his shoulder injury before the fight.
ESPN is reporting that Pacquiao had a chance to report his shoulder injury nearly three weeks before the May 2nd fight, but he didn't bring it up. He also had a chance to disclose the injury at a pre-fight questionnaire during Friday's weigh-in, but again chose not to.
It will be interesting to see how this pans out.
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