Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, who is vacationing in Israel with his family, is upset and dismayed by news circulating around the world about doctors’ claim that he could be suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
Reacting to statements made by doctors in the Philippines that he could be suffering from Parkinson’s disease, Pacquiao said he is doing good. “I will be the one to say that I will retire from boxing because I am the one who knows and feels what my body is telling me,” said Pacquiao
Dr. Rustico Jimenez, president of Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, earlier told radio station dzMM of ABS-CBN News that among the early signs of Parkinson’s shown by Pacquiao include stuttering and hand twitching.
In a separate interview, Jimenez admitted he has not actually examined Pacquiao and he could be wrong with his prognosis. Nevertheless, he advised Pacquiao to consider retiring while he is still healthy. Dr. Jimenez stressed “we don’t want him wheelchair bound. Parkinson’s is a progressive disease, once it hits it it will continue and we don’t want that to happen to our source of national pride.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Raquel Fortun, who is known as the “first Filipino woman forensic pathologist” and professor at the University of the Philippines college of medicine, said she is not convinced with the CT scan results clearing Manny Pacquiao, following his knockout loss to Mexican foe Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao had undergone brain tests twice, once in a Las Vegas hospital and the other in the Philippines.
She said severe head trauma could lead to Alzheimer’s disease or a form of dementia that worsens over time. Read more about Dr. Fortun’s statement here. Despite repeated calls from concerned doctors and fans, Pacquiao said, he will return to the ring in April and face Marquez in September.
Pacquiao and his adviser Michael Koncz spoke to Juan Carlos Torres, CEO of Zanfer Promotions (Marquez’ promoter) who told Boxing Scene about Pacquiao’s reaction to the news about his health.
“There is nothing to be worry about. I am 100 percent healthy and right now I’m enjoying this memorable vacation with my family in this beautiful country of Israel. I will return to the Philippines on January 14 and in early February because I want to get to the gym because I want to have a fight in April and in September I want the fifth fight with Marquez, Pacquiao was quoted by Torres.
“The statements by the doctors show a total lack of ethics and it was irresponsible. This was just personal opinion and there were no medical tests,” he added.
Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum earlier said he had made arrangement for Pacquiao’s extensive brain examination at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic in Las Vegas to be sure that the eight-division champion is in perfect health. “Only when he is cleared by the $100 million brain center in Vegas will Arum start talking to Pacquiao about a next fight,” Philstar.com reports. “Arum said he will shoulder all the expenses when Pacquiao is tested in Vegas,” the report added.
Pacquiao is serving an automatic suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) for 120 days in which he is prohibited from engaging in boxing-related exercises for 90 days. Read more: The suspension is reported to be valid only in the State of Nevada which means that Pacquiao can fight anytime in places outside Nevada or the US.
ref: http://digitaljournal.com
Tags: disease, doctors, hits, Manny Pacquiao, Parkinson's, prognosis
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