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Bob Arum doesn’t know if Manny Pacquiao will be able fight again

ByNathaniel Reeves|
May 2, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Manny Pacquiao (right) against Floyd Mayweather during their boxing bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Manny Pacquiao (right) against Floyd Mayweather during their boxing bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The 36-year-old Manny Pacquiao could be nearing the end of an illustrious career.

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While there his been much speculation about the future of Floyd Mayweather over the past couple of weeks, Manny Pacquiao’s is just as hazy.

The 36-year-old Pacquiao underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff last week, leaving his boxing career in a state of uncertainty. Top Rank CEO Bob Arum doesn’t know if or when Pacquiao will be able to fight again, according to USA Today Sports.

"“It’s a very serious injury but the prognostication is very good…Do we know for sure whether he’ll be able to fight again? No. But rotator cuff surgery has generally been successful with athletes. I mean Kobe Bryant underwent the same operation with the same doctor…Pacquiao is) optimistic. Right now you can’t tell anything. The arm is immobilized. The next couple of weeks I’m going to the Philippines with his doctor, Neal ElAttrache, and we’ll see how he’s progressing”"

Such an injury requires a lengthy rehab process that won’t be easy at Pacquiao’s age. Pacquiao won’t be able to participate in any activity for four to six months and likely won’t be able to fight again until this time next year, at which point he’ll be 37 years old.

Naturally, the questions about calling it a career would come up at that point. It would be understandable if Pacquiao chooses to retire at some point during the rehab process.

The biggest issue is if Pacquiao will be physically able to fight again, but there’s a question if he would even want to. Pacquiao is coming off a lopsided loss (which certainly could have been impacted by the injury) to Mayweather, his closest competition in skill level during his brilliant career.

There isn’t much left for Pacquiao to prove, and he doesn’t need to tarnish his career record by fighting in his late 30s coming off of a major injury. However, it seems likely that he will at least give the rehab process a try before seeing how things shape up next spring.

Arum identified Kell Brook and Lucas Matthysse as potential opponents should Pacquiao fight again. Hopefully he is able to recover and have something left in the tank, as fans don’t want the last memory of Pacquiao struggling to hit Mayweather in a lopsided decision.

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