Fans Sue Manny Pacquiao For Hiding Shoulder Injury

Hours after news surfaced that Manny Pacquiao will undergo shoulder surgery, two Las Vegas based fans have filed suit against the former champion for not disclosing his injury prior to the fight.

The suit, where the defendants are seeking $5 million dollars, is against Pacquiao, Michael Koncz, and Top Rank’s chairman, Bob Arum, and president, Todd duBoef, according to the ESPN report. It alleges the defendants knowingly knew of Pacquiao’s shoulder injury and chose not to inform NSAC and the fans in fear that it would be pushed, lose ticket sales and/or affect the betting.

This, of course, is on the heels of NSAC chariman Frank Aguilar’s inquiry on why Pacquiao checked the injury box “no” on his pre-fight forms, which is also why his anti-inflammatory shot request was denied. Either way, this investigation could result in the famed fighter being suspended or fined.

“We will gather all the facts and follow the circumstances,” Aguilar said. “At some point we will have some discussion. As a licensee of the commission you want to make sure fighters are giving you up-to-date information.”

As for the actual lawsuit, two parties outline their claims in the filings. “Defendants prior to and at the time the plaintiffs and the class decided to purchase tickets; purchase pay per view showings or wagered on the event the defendants knew and had full knowledge and information that defendant Pacquiao had been seriously injured and was suffering from a torn rotator cuff,” the lawsuit stated. “Defendants further know that such injury would severely affect his performance.”

Since then, Top Rank’s attorney has responded to the matter. “The allegations in this lawsuit are demonstrably false,” said Daniel Petrocelli. “There are documents that explicitly show the medications that Manny was using to treat his shoulder and it was fully disclosed with USADA, which we contracted for this fight.”

Again as reported yesterday, Pacquiao will undergo rotator cuff surgery and will not be in the ring for at least “nine months to a year,” according to Dr. Neal ElAttrache. However, if everything goes right with his rehab, he could be back to training within six months.