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Pacman Is this game over?

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Manny Pacquiao (right) caught by Floyd Mayweather Jr's right hook during their world welterweight title fight in Las Vegas last Sunday. Picture: AP Photo/John Locher
Manny Pacquiao (right) caught by Floyd Mayweather Jr's right hook during their world welterweight title fight in Las Vegas last Sunday. Picture: AP Photo/John Locher

Revelations made after the Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao-Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr world title fight could end the Filipino champion boxer’s career.

This is the view of three top South African boxing officials who represent various world sanctioning bodies.

They are Stan Christodoulou (World Boxing Association), Len Hunt (International Boxing Organisation) and Peter Ngatane (World Boxing Council).

The fighter has been accused of failing to disclose a shoulder injury that could have led to the postponement of the “fight of the century” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday.

Since then:

. Pacquiao’s fans have instituted a lawsuit against him seeking $5 million (R60 million) in damages for the alleged misrepresentation and nondisclosure that led to patrons buying tickets for and placing bets on the bout without knowing of his injury;

. The Nevada State Athletic Commission has started a probe in which it is investigating if Pacquiao violated any Nevada Deceptive Trade Practices Act rules; and

. Mayweather has changed his mind about giving his rival a rematch after initially saying he would.

Christodoulou said Pacquiao could have his licence suspended for taking his fans for a ride if he was found guilty of wrongdoing.

“He knew very well he was injured, but he chose to continue fighting. This has put paid to his glorious future, which is now in doubt as a result of cheating.

“If the Nevada State Athletic Commission finds him guilty, his licence will be suspended,” said Christodoulou.

Hunt said Pacman had lost his credibility as a boxer because he had lied to his fans and the world by concealing his injury.

“There is no doubt his career in the ring is doomed. He won’t be able to box again if he is found guilty. Not only will he be suspended, he will also be sued by the promoters,” said Hunt.

Ngatane agreed Pacquiao was facing the biggest challenge of his career because of the nondisclosure of his injury.

“We’ll have to wait for the outcome of the disciplinary hearing – that will decide his future.

“As a professional, he made a mistake by not disclosing his problem before the fight. That is wrong and will have a negative bearing on his future,” he said.

Pacquiao said at the post-fight interview that he had suffered a rotator cuff injury before the fight and exacerbated it in the fourth round of the fight.

The lawsuit filed in Las Vegas this week claims Pacquiao’s team knew about his damaged shoulder and that the injury would affect his performance in a fight that guaranteed him a 40% cut of the estimated purse of $300 million.

The boxer claimed Mayweather knew about his injury and kept “pulling my arm”.

According to the rules, boxers are required to disclose injuries that can affect their performance in the ring. Pacquiao’s injury might have been severe enough to warrant a postponement of the fight.

To make matters worse, commission officials are probing why Pacquiao had filled in “no” on the prefight form if he had a shoulder injury before the fight – a penalty that could lead to a suspension and monetary fine.

At the weigh-in just hours before the showdown, Pacman’s corner asked the commission’s regulators if the fighter could be given a shot of Toradol, an anti-inflammatory drug.

The request was denied.

Pacman had surgery in Los Angeles on Friday and is now expected to be out of action for at least a year.

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