Doctors Say Manny Pacquiao is Showing Early Signs Of Parkinson’s Disease
By Josh Sanchez
Manny Pacquiao is less than one month removed from a devastating knockout loss to Juan Manual Marquez and he is hearing news that no human being wants to be hit with. Dr. Rustico Jimenez, President of Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines and a leading neurologist in the Philippines, said during an interview that Pacquiao is showing early signs of Parkison’s Disease.
Jimenez said that he has made observations from Pacquiao’s post-fight interviews and the warning signs are there.
“Even though his reflexes are quick, I noticed the movement – it’s just another view, my personal view – but it seems like there are early signs,” Jimenez said, via ABS-CBN news. “There are some movements that you will notice with his hands. It’s in the hands, and not the head, where you can easily see this. It twitches a little bit. Although I haven’t seen it up close, I think I am seeing that there are some signs.”
Bad Left Hook passes along the news that another doctor also fears Pacquiao could be heading down a dangerous path.
“When the brain gets shook like that, it’s very dangerous. Since it’s not truly fixed to you skull, when your brain gets shaken, there are connections that get cut off, and you get small hemorrhages,” said Dr. Raquel Fortun.
It is no secret that repeated head trauma is believed to lead to Parkinson’s Disease. Pacquiao’s own family have already expressed their desire for him to retire from the sport and you have to side with those family members if the early signs of Parkinson’s are there.
Pacquiao has a political career that he can focus on and his health should always be the top priority. Pacquiao is a pleasure to watch in the ring, but if the doctors are correct, it’s time for Pacquiao to hang up his gloves.