Manny Pacquiao appears ready to go under the knife for a procedure that could put him out of action for nine months to a year.
According to an ESPN report published Monday night, Pacquiao will undergo surgery on his right shoulder this week to repair a tear in his rotator cuff.
The report stated the exact date of the surgery had not been determined but it will take place in Los Angeles.
Pacquiao lost in the richest boxing match ever against Floyd Mayweather by unanimous decision on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. At the postmatch press conference, Pacquiao said he had torn his shoulder in training 2 ¹/₂ weeks ago.
Earlier Monday, a statement released by Pacquiao’s team said the fighter was stopped by the Nevada Boxing Commission before he could inject an anti-inflammatory to treat his right shoulder injury only hours before the match. Pacquiao’s camp claims the medication was approved by the United States Anti-Doping Agency in the days leading up to the fight.