ALEX ARIZA DENIES REPORTS OF RIFT WITH ROACH: ?I AM THE TRAINER I AM TODAY BECAUSE OF FREDDIE ROACH?
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 08 Jun 2012
Las Vegas, NV ? The side story of Pacquiao ? Bradley is one that involves the champ?s strength and conditioning Coach Alex Ariza. His much publicized leaving of Pacquiao?s Baguio camp and his misunderstanding with trainer Freddie Roach is both a cause of discussion and concern for boxing fans and fans of the Filipino champ.
But Ariza dispelled concerns that the alleged rift in camp would have an effect on Pacquiao?s performance when he faces Bradley in 2 days. ?No, of course not, we are not going to let it affect Saturday,? Ariza told me as he watched over Pacquiao?s last workout at the Top Rank Gym Thursday afternoon.
HBO?s Pacquiao ? Bradley 24/7 picked up on the story and it has been one of the series? ensuing themes in its last two episodes. ?People have to remember that 24/7 is a reality TV show. It?s as real as about watching the Kardasians. It?s the same thing as. It?s like me and Freddie were having a rift just like Rob and Kim or Kris Humphries and Kim were in love. It?s just good for TV,? Ariza remarked. Ariza and Roach were with Pacquiao during their whole camp in Los Angeles. Ariza oversees the exercises that the champion performs as part of his workout which concluded Thursday afternoon here in Las Vegas.
Ariza opined that HBO spent more on the issue and not the two protagonists who are preparing for Saturday?s mega bout. ?I am a little disappointed because usually the show should focus on the fighters. How they are training. The extent that they go to, mentally and physically. People want to see that kind of stuff. They don?t want to see the drama. There is enough TV shows that show that kind of nonsense,? he expressed.
But Ariza realizes that the show had a plot line and that is why they stuck to it. He also expressed that what viewers saw was an edited version of what happened. ?Most of that footage was shot so long before it was aired. It made it seemed like that stuff was going on at this moment. But it?s scripted as usual just like Jerry Springer and it is going to cause drama.?
Ariza denies that there is an ongoing rift between him and Freddie Roach. ?Freddie has come out and has given statements and stuff like that. It was said at the heat of the moment when he said it. It was no big deal. We shook hands over it. Freddie went to Manny and Manny told me that he wants me in the corner and Freddie wants me in the corner and to me that is all that matters.?
?Believe me, if Freddie did not want me in the corner and if Manny wanted me in the corner. I would pull myself out of the corner,? Ariza declared. He would do it out of respect to Roach who paved the way for him and Pacquiao to collaborate. ?I am the trainer I am today because of Freddie Roach. I owe everything to Freddie Roach and Manny. So if I felt that one wanted me and the other didn?t, I would do the right thing and the professional thing and I would step out."
Roach states that he has nothing against Ariza and verbalizes that he ?has no problem with him.? He even commends Ariza on how good he does his job as Pacquiao?s conditioning coach. Roach does not have any objections on the trainer being on the champ?s corner during the fight. Roach even made sure
that Ariza will be part of the four man team come Saturday night. Roach had to talk to Ariza and cut man Miguel Diaz to make sure both knows what their roles are during the fight to avoid any conflict between the two which have occurred in the past. ?Everyone understands what their job is. Manny expects nothing but the best,? said Roach. ?I have no problems," the Hall of Fame trainer declared.
There is peace within Team Pacquiao and his corner men despite circulating rumors and reports of the opposite. Both Ariza and Roach denies any war inside the camp. The only war they will be waging is the one against Bradley on Saturday night.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com for any reactions to this piece.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Dreamland: Where Filipino Fists Lit Up San Francisco Nights
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 28 Apr 2025IM Concio wins Victoria Sports Club Rapid Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Tapales bags WBC International Silver super bantamweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Boston, NY and Minnesota One Win Away; Push Orlando, Detroit and LAL on Brink
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Sasaki Guns for Japan's First World Welterweight Title, Honor as Asia's Best Asian Boxing Nation
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Raga beats Bañares in SBA Philippine Open, pockets ₱400,000 cash prize
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 28 Apr 2025OK-C You Next Season, Memphis
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Eubank Jr. Edges Benn in Thrilling Grudge Match for the Ages
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Due to Illness, H2O Syve Withdraws from Tonight’s Bout
Sun, 27 Apr 2025Filipino FM Ivan Travis Cu runner-up in Budapest First Saturday Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Home Teams Rule the Day
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 26 Apr 2025Marlon Tapales Makes Weight for WBC International Title Fight in Gensan
Sat, 26 Apr 2025WELTERWEIGHT ERIC TUDOR TAKES UNANIMOUS DECISION OVER KEVIN JOHSON IN MAIN EVENT OF ‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS’ FROM THUNDER STUDIOS AND LIVE ON DAZN
Sat, 26 Apr 2025Eubank vs Benn: Like Father Like Son
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 26 Apr 2025Eubank Jr. Misses Weight Ahead of Highly Anticipated Benn Clash
Sat, 26 Apr 2025