Doctors worried Manny Pacquiao showing early signs of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s
According to multiple doctors in Manny Pacquiao’s home country of the Philippines, the 34-year-old fighter may be showing signs that he is developing serious health problems. Dr. Rustico Jimenez, the president of Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, recently said he believes he has seen early signs of Parkinson’s Disease in Pacquiao in the form of hand twitching and stuttering.
“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,” 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.”
Jimenez hasn’t actually examined Pacquiao up close, but he said he can see signs in interviews. Last month, Pac-Man was knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez and one of his coaches said he didn’t know where he was when he finally came to. Pacquiao underwent extensive brain testing after the fight. Dr. Raquel Fortun, a renowned forensics expert from the Philippines, said she is not convinced everything is right with his head.
“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.”
Of course, these are just the opinions of two doctors who have not worked very closely with Pacquiao. That being said, we already know his wife wants him to give up boxing before he does any serious damage to himself. Hearing that her husband is showing signs of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s will not help ease Jinkee’s anxiety.
UPDATE: Pacquiao issued a statement in response.
“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.
“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.”
That statement clearly was not written by Pacquiao. Hopefully his staff member who crafted it will hold some serious concern for the fighter’s health and overall well-being.