The right shoulder of Manny Pacquiao is reportedly fully healed and should be good news for boxing fans awaiting his return in 2016.
Word about the state of Pacquiao's shoulder was bared no less by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum via boxingscene.com.
"Pacquiao is apparently getting an MRI in the Philippines this week," said Bob Arum. "He's sending it (to the surgeon in the United States) for an evaluation. He claims the shoulder is completely healed, and he has absolute no pain or soreness or anything from the operation," he added.
It will be recalled that Pacquiao reportedly fought with an injured shoulder last May 2 against eventual winner Floyd Mayweather Jr. The Filipino boxer/lawmaker underwent surgery and has since been sidelined.
It seems that rehabilitation for the said shoulder has gone well and word about the Pacquiao's return fight in early 2016 may finally hit pay dirt.
Among the fighters that Pacquiao could be facing include Amir Khan, Lucas Matthysse, Juan Manuel Marquez, or even Kell Brook.
Of the named fighters, Khan is believed to be on the priority list seeing both camps had staged preliminary talks this 2015.
However, it seems that Pacquiao's camp is still weighing its options for 2016. Pacquiao allegedly wants to return to the ring no later than April of 2016, affirming earlier belief that he will likely be making his return fight by the first quarter of next year.
However, Arum cautions that until he gets official medical clearance from Pacquiao's physician, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, he has no plans of setting up anything for the Filipino fighter.
"We'll have to see (about his next fight)," Arum said in the same interview. "I'm not making a fight for Manny Pacquiao until he's 100% cleared by Dr. ElAttrache," he appended.
Also lurking in the background is the question on whether or not Pacquiao would be interested in fighting Mayweather once more. He reiterated that while he is not closing the doors on it, a rematch with Mayweather is not among his priorities.
Outside boxing, Pacquiao is expected to run for a senatorial seat in the May 2016 National Elections in the Philippines.
