For many fight fans watching the press conference today the sight of a large lump on Manny’s right hand was alarming. Fans began to wonder whether he had suffered an injury, would it effect him during the fight or if was something serious enough to keep him out all together.
Well a twitter follower was good enough to direct us to this 2011 article published by the Examiner.com provides some clarity to the lump and should put fight fans at ease:
An untamed mane aside, Pacquiao, also a Congressman in his native Philippines is the face of the sport of boxing in 2011. When he is around and making news, Websites devoted to the Sweet Science hum like a well-funded slot machine. With so few big names in boxing, any news of Pacquiao can drive enough traffic to a site that will make or break the yearly bottom line.
So the sight of Pacquiao with a ping-pong ball sized bump near his right wrist was enough to send the bloggers and freelancers into a lather of speculation. Was the end near? How would all of this affect the Mosley challenge? Could Pacquiao overcome it? Would surgery be needed? Was the big fight in jeopardy?
The bump, or lump, took on a life all its own. So much so, that Michael Koncz, Pacquiao’s Canadian born consigliere, was forced to step forward and make a statement on the lump.
Like the wind, Koncz claimed that the lump comes and the lump goes, but most importantly it does not bother Manny too much. Apparently there is no pain – and aside from the fact that the world wanted to know what the lump was all about, Pacquiao has never given it a second thought.
But the simple truth of the matter for the inquiring minds that want to know – is that Manny Pacquiao is afflicted with Gideon’s disease. Some say only the Bible can cure it.
According to Wikipedia, a ganglion cyst, which is also known as a “Bible cyst” which is quite simply a swelling that can occur around the joint of the wrist or ankle is now Pacquiao’s cross to bear. It is referred to as a “Bible bump” because one way thought to cure it is to drop the heaviest and holiest of books onto the bump in an effort to rupture the cyst and alleviate the affliction. Hence the name Gideon’s disease, as in the Gideon Bible.
This should clear up some of the rumors circulating after the press conference. Manny will be fine on Saturday night and he will step into the ring at 100% for the biggest match of his career.
