ROACH CONFIRMS ARIZA WILL REMAIN WITH PACQUIAO
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 02 Mar 2011
Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach has said that strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza will remain with Team Pacquiao despite rumors that the Colombian was on his way out.
Roach, speaking to the Inquirer from his Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles squelched the rumors of the past few weeks.
The multi-titled trainer said ?everything is great, real fine? even as he indicated that Ariza would leave for the Philippines this week to begin working with Pacquiao.
Ariza and Pacquiao spoke last night and Ariza said the pound-for-pound king wanted him to fly to General Santos City where he begins early training for the showdown against three-time champion Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 7.
Roach himself will be leave for the Philippines on Sunday and will arrive early morning Tuesday.
The rumors about a split in Team Pacquiao had upset Ariza who has had a decided impact since teaming up with Roach to turn Pacquiao into an explosive fighter.
Ariza joined Roach some two weeks before Pacquiao ripped WBC lightweight champion David Diaz in nine rounds and then went on to pulverize Oscar De La Hoya who quit after seven rounds and separated Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton from his senses in two rounds.
Despite being upset over the rumors about his ouster in which Roach was reported to have said Pacquiao could do without him, Ariza remained confident that Pacquiao and Roach would retain his services.
When we contacted him after talking to Roach, Ariza said ?I told you so? even as he revealed that Roach had earlier discussed plans on how to prepare for the Mosley fight which both Roach and Pacquiao are taking seriously.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said "everything is rolling along" and that Ariza is part of the team.
Arum said he is "delighted that Manny I training seriously because I don't care whatever anybody says . This is going to be Manny's toughest fight."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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