Manny Pacquiao has been fighting since he was 16 years old. He has been never been considered a defensive fighter, his best defense have been a great offense.
Larry Brown Sports quotes two renowned doctors who believe the punishment that Pacquiao has taken over the years could have some long term effects on his health.
Here is a quote from Dr. Rustico Jimenez, the president of Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines.
“Even though his reflexes are quick, I noticed the movement – it’s just another view, my personal view – but it seems like there are early signs of Parkinson,” Jimenez said, via a translation from Bad Left Hook. “There are some movements that you will notice with his hands. It’s in the hands, and not the head, where you can easily see this. It twitches a little bit. Although I haven’t seen it up close, I think I am seeing that there are some signs.”
The second quote is from Dr. Raquel Fortun, a renowned forensics expert from the Philippines.
“When the brain gets shook like that, it’s very dangerous,” Fortun said. “Since it’s not truly fixed to your skull, when your brain gets shaken, there are connections that get cut off, and you get small hemorrhages.”
It must be noted that neither doctor has examined Pacquiao, this is just from their observations, but they just can’t be ignored. Pacquiao has made a lot of people a lot of money, if his health is at risk, they need to stop thinking about their pockets and what is best for Pacquiao.
At what might be best for him is to hang up the gloves.