TRAINER MARVIN SOMODIO SHAPES UP THE PACMAN
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 25 Apr 2012
The first disturbing news of Manny Pacquiao's current camp came last Saturday when reports surfaced that his conditioning coach, Alex Ariza has left the champ's training ground of Baguio for Los Angeles. While we still ponder and wait for the real reason of Ariza's sudden demise from the champ's training camp, Pacquiao's preparations for his June 9 fight with unbeaten Timothy Bradley continues on. And the unenviable task of looking after Pacquiao's strength and conditioning regimen falls in the hands of 29 year old, Marvin Somodio.
ROLE IN CAMP
Somodio, a former member of the country's national boxing team has been assisting Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach since 2009 when the duo started training in the Anson Tiu co-owned Shape Up Boxing Gym in Baguio City. Somodio was initially employed as a fitness instructor by Tiu and then progressed as a boxing trainer to Tiu's stable of young fighters. "I have been assisting them (Team Pacquiao) in the past during their training here at Shape Up. I have helped Coach Freddie wrapped hands of his fighters, lately Amir Khan," said Somodio.
His contribution during the last two years impressed the Hall of Fame boxing coach and he has been a part of training camp since. "He has caught the eye of Coach Freddie in 2009 when they were training for (Miguel) Cotto and he has been a part of his staff everytime they come up here to train," said Tiu.
This time Somodio will be taking a bigger role in Pacquiao's camp due to the absence of Ariza. "Ako po yung tutulong sa stretching at sa warm-up ni Manny kasi wala si Alex at pumuntang U.S. na," (I will be the one helping with Manny's stretching and warming up because of Alex going back to the U.S.) he humbly stated. Somodio said that Ariza taught him how to perform those exercises and that he was also recommended to Pacquiao to perform such tasks by Roach himself. Besides assisting with Pacquiao's warm-up regimen, he will also be surveying the WBO welterweight champ's roadwork. He stated that the defending champ is intent on continuing Ariza's conditioning programs which he will help him with. Pacquiao, he said already knows those exercises by heart.
HAPPY WITH THE OPPORTUNITY
Somodio is elated at the chance to play a bigger role in the camp of boxing's most recognizable fighter. "Masaya at ipinagkatiwala sa akin ni Freddie Roach yung mga stretching at conditioning kay Congressman," (I am happy that Freddie Roach trusted me with regards to Congressman's stretching and conditioning) said Somodio. Roach has verbalized his satisfaction in Somodio's work with Pacquiao and has entrusted him with Ariza's duties here in Baguio. "It's great, you know everything," was Roach's reply when Somodio asked him how he's performance was. Roach added that because of Somodio's confidence in what he does, he sees no problem in that part of training. "Balak niya akong isama sa U.S., para maging assistant," (He is planning to bring me with him in the U.S. to be his assistant trainer) expressed the young trainer. "Sa ngayon inaasikaso na lang yung visa para makasama ako sa America," (We are processing the papers for my visa so I can join them in America) added Somodio.
The young trainer expressed amazement on how things are unfolding for him as a trainer. "Talagang nakakagulat, hindi ko inaasahan na ganito kaagad ang mangyayari. Parang nangagarap lang ako," (I am really surprised, I did not expect this to happen this fast. It was like a dream) said Somodio. He started handling boxers only last year as a fulltime trainer when Anson Tiu trusted him in training fighters who represent the Shape Up Gym. This opportunity given him is something that the former amateur boxer is both excited and grateful for. "Napakabata ko pa lalo na sa professional boxing bilang trainer, nakakagulat talaga." (I am still young in professional boxing as a trainer, this is really surprising.)
PACQUIAO AS AN ATHLETE
Somodio admires his client's work ethic during camp. "Talagang bigay todo siya sa training. Trainer na ang umaayaw sa kanya," (He really gives it all during training. It is the trainer that gives up on him already) he narrated. "Mas nauunang mapagod yung trainer sa kanya," (The trainer gets tired first before him) he added. He admitted that he himself has a hard time keeping up with the WBO welterweight champ when he runs in the morning. Even long time runners who accompany Pacquiao during his morning jog in the City of Pines have a hard time keeping up with the champ he narrated. "Yung endurance kasi, napakalakas," (His endurance is so strong) he added. Somodio believes that Pacquiao's status as the number one boxer in the world is because of the way he trains for his fight.
ASSURANCE TO FANS
The four year veteran of the Philippine boxing team assures that Pacquiao's conditioning and fitness preparations for this camp will go smoothly despite the recent change in personnel. "Sinisigurado ko naman na maging maayos lahat. Lalo na si Freddie Roach, talagang nagtitiwala sa akin na alam ko ang ginagawa ko," (I will make sure that things will go well. Especially that Freddie Roach trusts me and in what I'm doing) ascertained Somodio. "Gagawin ko rin ang lahat para maibigay sa kanya ang tamang condition," (I will do everything to get Manny well conditioned) he assures fans. Somodio refuses to acknowledge that he will be Ariza's replacement as Pacquiao's conditioning guru from now on. "Hindi naman totally na aalis si Alex, pumunta lang siya ng U.S. para I-train si Julio (Cesar Chavez Jr.) Wala pa naman silang sinasabi na aalis na siya, nauna lang siya doon," (Alex won't totally leave camp. They did not announced anything about him leaving camp. He just left early for the U.S. to start Julio's training.) he said.
Marvin Somodio's experience as a former boxer and trainer will be of value to him in helping carve the pound for pound king into a well oiled fighting machine. His dedication to his craft will be an asset to the champ itself as Pacquiao primes for the challenge that awaits him. Somodio knows that big opportunities come with even bigger responsibilities, and he is ready for it.
You can email the author at rrmaze24@aol.com for any reaction to this piece.
Photo: Somodio (L) with Roach in Baguio.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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