Pacquiao may need to book return to Las Vegas from Philippines

Manny Pacquiao is back in the Philippines, rehabbing his surgically repaired right shoulder and counting the millions he made from his May 2 loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in their megafight at the MGM Grand Garden.

However, Pacquiao may or may not have to invest some of that money in a return trip to Las Vegas next month.

The Nevada Athletic Commission’s agenda for its monthly meeting this Friday does not include Pacquiao. However, it’s a certainty that Pacquiao will be on the June agenda when the NAC convenes and the four-member panel will want some answers pertaining to Pacquiao’s shoulder injury, which he had sustained nearly a month before the fight and did not disclose to the commission until a couple of hours before he entered the ring.

“We haven’t made that determination yet,” NAC chairman Francisco Aguilar said Tuesday. “We’re still awaiting word from the attorney general’s office on how to proceed regarding Mr. Pacquiao.”

If the attorney general believes the commission has the legal latitude to investigate whether Pacquiao perjured himself on his pre-fight medical questionnaire, it could ultimately fine and/or suspend him. Pacquiao checked “no” to the question if he had a shoulder injury when he filled out the form and signed it the day prior to the fight.

Prior to entering the ring the next night, Pacquiao was attempting to have a shot of the anti-inflammatory Toradol administered by his doctor. The commission refused to allow the medication, claiming Pacquiao was not hurt.

He fought the fight without the medication and lost a 12-round unanimous decision to Mayweather. Two days later, an MRI revealed Pacquiao had a partially torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. Last Wednesday, he had surgery in Los Angeles. He is expected to be out of action for nine months.

Because of the long distance, the commission could allow Pacquiao to participate on a conference call for an agenda item involving him while having his adviser, Michael Koncz, and his promoter, Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, appear in person to answer questions.

“We haven’t gotten that far in the process yet,” Aguilar said, when asked if Pacquiao would be given such latitude. “At some point, we will make a determination about Mr. Pacquiao and inform him of our desires to talk with him and his team.”

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj