adminMANILA. — Manny Pacquiao downplayed criticism from promoter Bob Arum yesterday after the injured Philippine boxing hero missed a doctor’s visit for a shoulder injury, saying he was carrying out his own rehabilitation.
Arum hit out at his own boxer last weekend for missing a rehab visit and said he has no idea when “Pacman” might fight again after his right shoulder was hurt fighting Floyd Mayweather in May.
“I respect Bob Arum. He’s just like a father to me. I believe he’s just voicing out his concern (for) me and I appreciate it. I don’t take it negatively,” Pacquiao said in a statement.
“But he has nothing to worry about (regarding) my injury. I’m doing the rehab myself. I’m recovering faster than expected.”
Pacquiao had surgery on May 7 to repair a tear to his right rotator cuff sustained in the unanimous points defeat against Mayweather in the richest fight of all time in Las Vegas. He cancelled a scheduled check-up with his surgeon Neal ElAttrache at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles on July 4, prompting sharp criticism from the 83-year-old head of Top Rank promotions, who said “he’s not acting very professionally”.
Pacquiao said his situation was improving, adding: “I can now raise my right arm.” — AFP.
Online Reporter