Responding to criticism from Top Rank promoter Bob Arum for canceling a scheduled rehab visit with his surgeon on July 4th to begin rehab on his surgically repaired right shoulder, former eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao revealed that he has commenced his shoulder rehab on his own.
Where in the world did Pacquiao learn how to rehab his own shoulder? First and foremost, he “supposedly” injured the shoulder in training and decided to fight anyway.
Anyone with a brain could tell you that’s a bad choice. Now we’re supposed to believe Pacquiao has accrued the knowledge to get his shoulder back into shape?
Pacquiao spoke via Super Sport.
“I respect Bob Arum. He’s just like a father to me. I believe he’s just voicing his concern, and I appreciate it. I don’t take it negatively,” Pacquiao said. “But, he has nothing to worry about. I’m doing the rehab myself. I’m recovering faster than expected. I can now raise my right arm.”
Now the question becomes, when did Pacquiao re-acquire the ability to lift his right arm. Pacquiao lifted his arms into the sky just fine after the conclusion of his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr., so this isn’t getting off to a good start.
Five weeks ago, Pacquiao posted a picture on his Instagram of himself hoisting the Filipino flag with both arms while he was on top of what appears to be a mountain.
I can’t confirm whether that picture was recent or not. However, two weeks ago, Pacquiao posted a picture of himself holding one of his two daughters with his right arm.
So, did he re-acquire this ability two weeks ago? Pacquiao was not specific and I doubt we’ll ever get a straight answer on that.
Last week, he posted a picture of himself feeding fish in Indonesia, reaching down into the water with his right arm.
As reported Sunday, Pacquiao traveled to Indonesia to film a commercial and to aid a human trafficking victim on death row in Mary Jane Veloso.
According to the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, torn rotator cuff surgery recovery can take three to six months, depending on the size of the tear and other factors.
That doesn’t include rehab, which could increase the time an athlete has to spend on the sidelines. Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant, for example, spent nine months on the sidelines recovering from his torn rotator cuff surgery.
Boom. Perhaps there is some truth to the extent of Pacquiao’s injuries. However, what about the nine months to one year claim? Was Pacquiao’s injury intentionally over-exaggerated?
That appears to be the case. Also, none of this would have been a problem if Pacquiao had kept his mouth shut, and gave Mayweather his credit for a terrific performance on May 2nd.
