MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao could be back in the ring sooner than anybody had expected.
According to Top Rank chief Bob Arum, there’s a good possibility that Pacquiao will stage a “tune-up” fight by the end of the year.
There’s no definite opponent yet or what the tune-up fight is for although a lot of people are still looking at a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. next year.
Pacquiao lost to Mayweather on points last May 2, and in the process aggravated a shoulder injury which he had originally sustained in a jet-ski accident more than five years ago.
The injury recurred three weeks before the Mayweather fight. Afterwards, doctors found a tear on Pacquiao’s right rotator cuff.
Four days after the fight, he underwent surgery in Los Angeles, and almost three months later, the 36-year-old Pacquiao said he’s recovering well.
Pacquiao said he’s doing self-rehabilitation and his failure to see his doctor for rehab in Los Angeles last month had Arum fuming.
Arum called Pacquiao “unprofessional” for not looking after his own safety.
Pacquiao said he understood what Arum said, adding that the legendary promoter is “just like a father to me.”
“He sent us a video and the therapists are stunned at his progress. They said he could be back at the end of this year,” Arum told The Boxing Voice radio program.
Arum may be looking at junior-welterweight champion Terrence Crawford as a potential opponent for Pacquiao by the end of the year.
“Yes,” Arum said.
If indeed Pacquiao is up and about.