Pacquiao feeling better, may be back in ring in 2016–Arum

Filipino boxer and Congressman Manny Pacquiao answers questions from the media during a news conference at the NAIA on May 13, 2015, upon arriving from his fight with Floyd Mayweather. Bob Arum said he expected Pacquiao to be back in the ring in 2016. AP

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said he expected eight-division boxing world champion Manny Pacquiao to see action again in the first half of 2016.

In a report on ESPN, the long-time kingmaker gave an update on Pacquiao as the boxer continues his recovery from surgery in his right shoulder to repair a torn rotator cuff. Arum said he wanted the Sarangani congressman put on his gloves early next year once his shoulder healed.

“Manny says he has been doing well. He said he has been feeling better,” Arum said.

Pacquiao will go to the United States in the first week of July to have a follow-up check-up with Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the surgeon who performed the shoulder operation, and begin his rehab.

“He will start his serious rehab. He’ll stay here for probably about two weeks and then he will go back to the Philippines. One of the rehab guys will go with him to make sure he is doing his rehab program the right way,” said Arum.

Pacquiao is expected to be sidelined for nine months, ruling him out of the competition for the rest of the year, if he decides to continue boxing.

His last, a 12-round welterweight bout with Floyd Mayweather last May which was dubbed the richest fight in boxing history, crushed every boxing record according to Arum. It includes a record-4.4 million pay-per-view subscriptions and a total gross of about $600 million.

RELATED STORIES

Pacquiao wants to continue bringing pride to PH, won’t retire soon

If De La Hoya still has hunger as boxer, he can still fight—Pacquiao