Manny Pacquiao is the new Kevin Love.
The Filipino boxer immediately went public with an alleged injury following Saturday night’s loss to Floyd Mayweather. In doing so, Pacquiao was criticized for coming up with an excuse after the loss, but it appears the injury is real.
Pacquiao’s orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, confirmed that an MRI on Monday revealed a “significant tear” to Pacquiao’s right rotator cuff, according to ESPN’s Dan Rafael.
ElAttrache has performed surgery on a number of high-profile athletes, including Tom Brady and Kobe Bryant.
Pacquiao could have surgery as soon as this week, and ElAttrache says the boxer tentatively could resume training in six months. ElAttrache does not expect Pacquiao to return to competition a few months after that.
“At that point, he will be regaining strength and endurance, and competition is reasonable within nine months to a year,” ElAttrache told ESPN. “But this is a severe enough tear that it won’t heal without being repaired.”
Pacquiao reportedly suffered the injury about a month prior to the fight during training, and some reports claimed he was denied an injection before the fight by officials that would have helped alleviate the pain. The Nevada Athletic Commission since has denied that report, via Rappler.
ElAttrache explained that Pacquiao was able to fight through the pain by using a “modulated approach.”
“He moderated what he did with his right hand,” ElAttrache said, via ESPN. “His punch count was less than it has been. He did alter the way he fought to get through the fight with the injury. He is in pain.”
Thumbnail photo via Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports Images
