I have made a point to refrain from writing personal attacks on other boxing writers in the guise of articles. I have noticed that the Internet is awash with the works of writers who don?t follow the same ethical standard.
I won?t name names.
You know who you are.
I don’t wish to be overly critical but it is amazing how one doctor feels qualified to suggest that Pacquiao is showing early signs of Parkinson?s disease even while admitting that he hasn’t examined the pugilist.
And writers, is this really a newsworthy story?
It was reported that the neurologist who suggested the possibility of Parkinson’s saw Pacman?s hand twitch in a television interview. He also said Pacquiao was stuttering. Hasn’t Pacquiao always stuttered? Now, all the sudden this is newsworthy? This is his basis for publicly stating that Pacquiao could have Parkinson?s?
The well-meaning doctor’s concerns may not be completely unfounded. He suggests a high tech battery of tests to determine whether or not his theory is correct. Of course these tests should be done. But it would seem that the physician should consider the consequences and fallout of stating that someone may have a serious illness based on very little evidence.
Parkinson?s has been shown to be one of the dangers of an extended boxing career but let?s not forget that a lot of boxers, active and retired, have taken a lot of punches are still doing quite well.
On a side note, let me say one more thing before I wrap this up.
Many writers have written of Pacquiao?s ?obvious decline?. I can’t help but wonder how they failed to notice the fact that for most of the fight he was beating the best version of Juan Manuel Marquez more decisively than ever.
How can it go unnoticed that he was fighting better than he has in the past two years?
It was obvious that he was about to knock the Mexican warrior out when he made a mistake and got knocked out himself.
The greatest ambassador the sport of boxing has seen in many years is being written about by some as though he?s suddenly a bum.
That bothers me a lot simply because it seems morally and ethically wrong.
Let the doctors who actually examine the man determine the status of his health, and then let the Pacman decide for himself when it?s time to hang up the gloves.
