Manny Pacquiao Sued by Disgruntled Fans for Hiding Shoulder Injury
A couple of boxing fans have sued Manny Pacquiao for allegedly failing to disclose a torn rotator cuff before last weekend’s “fight of the century” against Floyd Mayweather. Pacquiao’s team says he reported the injury to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, but a form he filled out prior to the fight indicates no shoulder, elbow, or hand damage.
Staphane Vanel and Kami Rahbaran filed suit on behalf of everyone who bet on the fight or purchased the $100 pay-per-view broadcast without being aware that Pac-Man was hurt, TMZ reports. They’re seeking $5 million for consumer fraud and fraudulent concealment.
Pacquiao’s injury apparently kept his punch count much lower than normal in the Mayweather fight, which Pacquiao lost on points in a unanimous decision. It’ll take surgery and a healing time of 9 months to a year before he can fight again.
His team says he disclosed that he was hurt to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency so he could get approval for an anti-inflammatory shot before the event, but the NSAC denied the treatment, saying the injury was never reported to them.
Mayweather dismissed his opponent’s busted right arm as an excuse for the outcome of the fight, saying he was fighting hurt as well. He told ESPN:
“If [Pacquiao] would have come out victorious, the only thing I could have got up here and said was, ‘I have to show respect and say he was the better man. Both my arms were injured. Both my hands were injured, but as I’ve said before, I always find a way to win.”
[Photo: AP Images]