May 06--In the wee hours of Sunday morning, Manny Pacquiao revealed that he re-aggravated a shoulder injury he had suffered in April during the fourth round of his title loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pacquiao, who suffered a torn rotator cuff to his right shoulder while sparring, said he wasn't trying to make excuses for his loss by unanimous decision to Mayweather. He said he was simply trying to explain why he didn't throw as many punches as Mayweather despite embracing a volume-punching strategy heading into the bout.
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Mayweather appears to be among those who believe Pacquiao is making excuses. In a tweet on Tuesday, Mayweather wrote, "19 years in the fight game and I've had one excuse: 'Don't have an excuse.' Winners win and losers have excuses."
Although Mayweather didn't call out Pacquiao by name, it seems pretty obvious he was referring to statements made by Pacquiao regarding his injury.
Still, while Mayweather may think Pacquiao shouldn't use the injury card to account for his loss, the undefeated champion is open to a rematch. Mayweather mentioned in a text message to ESPN's Stephen A. Smith on Tuesday that he was willing to fight Pacquiao again next year.
Boxing fans, however, might have a good excuse to sit the next one out.
