Manny Pacquiao Blames Shoulder Injury for Defeat

The 36-year-old said he thought he did enough to win the fight, despite most observers agreeing with the verdict.

“Three weeks before the fight I got a tear in my right shoulder. It got better but it wasn't 100 per cent,” he said.

Pacquiao said he wanted to have an injection in the shoulder before the fight but the Nevada Athletic Commission refused.

Mayweather, 38, outclassed his Phillipine rival at the MGM Grand and was awarded a wide unanimous decision.

Pacquiao threw 429 punches to Mayweather’s 435 with only 81 of them landing as compared to the American’s 148.

The Fillipino threw 193 jabs with only 18 landing while Mayweather threw 267 jabs with 67 of them landing.

MOST LUCRATIVE BOUT

Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, claimed he informed the Commission of the injury five days ago and defended the decision not to cancel the fight, the most lucrative in boxing history.

“Athletes always fight hurt and we felt the work that was done on the shoulder during training would enable him to use his right hand,” said Arum.

Commission chairman Francisco Aguilar said he first knew about the injury two hours before the fight when Pacquiao's camp requested a doctor sit in his corner, a request that was denied.