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Manny Pacquiao has been accused of lying over a shoulder injury
sustained before hisfight against Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas.
If the Filipino is found guilty, the penalty for perjury could be a
jail sentence of between one and four years, and a fine ofup to $5,000
(£3,305).
The Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) says Pacquiao, 36, did not
declare the injury on a pre-fight questionnaire.But the fighter says
he was transparent and a treatmentplan had been agreed.
Pacquiao blamed his points defeat on the injury – claiming it stopped
him using his right hand – but a joint statement released by Team
Pacquiao and his promoters Top Rank said the United States Anti-Doping
Agency (Usada) had been notified during the fighter's training camp
and on fight night.
They added that a Usada doctor sanctioned the use ofa non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory on fight night, but the NAC did not allow it to be
administered because they were"unaware" of the shoulder injury.The
statement added: "This was disappointing since Team Pacquiao had
disclosed the injury and treatment to Usada, who approved the
treatments and Manny had listed the medication on his pre-fight
medical form.
"The NAC says the Pacquiao camp were not "obligated" to disclose the
injury, but their executive director BobBennett said: "It's not just
the fact he didn't fill out thequestion completely, it's that he
wasn't honest.
"Two hours before the fight they wanted a shot that's a painkiller, in
essence. That put us in a very precarious position."
Surgeon Neal ElAttrache told ESPN the fighter has a"significant tear"
in his rotator cuff and added the injury was likely to sideline him
for between nine and 12 months.
Mayweather, 38, scored a unanimous points victory in the four-belt
unification bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the win extending the
American's unbeaten record as a professional to 48 fights.
Pacquiao's surgery means any rematch is unlikely, with Mayweather
insisting he will retire in September after one more fight.
Credit: BBC
