Boxing News 2015: Sparring Partner Confirms Manny Pacquiao Injured Shoulder in Training Camp
Manny Pacquiao was saying the truth when he claimed he fought with an injured shoulder during his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Saturday night, his sparring partner confirmed.
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship Dashon Johnson confirmed through his official Facebook account that Pacquiao hurt his right shoulder two weeks ago, which flared up during the third round of the fight on Saturday.
Pacquiao told reporters after the fight that his hurting shoulder limited his movement and punches during the showdown, but most fans were thinking the Filipino boxing icon was just making an excuse.
But Johnson broke his silence and confirmed Pacquiao got hurt in training camp, which was the reason why media personalities were not allowed to watch the training sessions and why sparring partners were sent home.
"We were asked not to mention anything to anyone but yes Manny got hurt during this camp with his right shoulder and it was messed up pretty bad," Johnson said on Facebook. "So bad his sparring partners including myself were asked to go home a few weeks out before the actual fight."
Johnson also confirmed what Freddie Roach said on Saturday in terms of canceling the fight. The former UFC fighter confirmed Pacquiao's camp considered pulling out of the fight or moving the date of showdown.
However, Pacquiao decided to go on as scheduled after he felt he could fight even with an injured shoulder because he is also thinking of boxing fans who waited for the fight to happen.
"Manny no matter what wasn't going to let his family, fans and friends down by postponing the fight so he was gonna just fight through the pain," Johnson added. "I take my hat off to him because even faced with the adversity he had going into this fight, in my mind he had the better action moments in the fight."
Pacquiao eventually took a unanimous decision defeat and lost his World Boxing Organization welterweight title to Mayweather, who improved to 48-0 in his professional career and also took home the special emerald belt from the World Boxing Council.
For Johnson, Pacquiao has nothing to be ashamed of because he gave what the fans wanted. The former mixed martial artist also said that he admires Pacquiao now more than before because he was how the Filipino champion struggled with pain but decided to fight in the biggest bout of his career.
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