Roach Takes Aim, Drops Ariza From Pacquiao's Corner
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By Chris Robinson
On last weekend’s 24/7 Pacquiao-Bradley episode, Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach caused quite a stir when he took some shots at strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza and suggested that their team may be better off without the Columbian-born coach on board.
Outspoken by nature, Ariza had raised some eyebrows by making an early exit from Pacquiao’s camp, which was held in Baguio City in the Philippines at the time, in an effort to link up with WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. down in Mexico as he got ready for his June 16th date with Andy Lee.
Pacquiao is presently training out of the Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles as he eyes a June 9th defense of his WBO welterweight belt against Timothy Bradley and the drama within his team continues build.
Reflecting on his comments from last Saturday‘s 24/7, Roach admitted that his fighter’s preparation is of the utmost importance more so than anything else.
“I said some things on 24/7 last night that Alex might not like,” stated Roach. “If he has something to say to me about it, he’ll say it. But I won’t let it affect my fighter and I know what’s important here and that’s the focus of Manny Pacquiao.”
Once again, Roach seemed to disapprove of Ariza’s presence in camp and insisted that he won’t be working the corner for Pacquiao when he steps in to face Bradley at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
“Manny likes him and wants him on board, so that’s the way it is,” said Roach. “Alex will be there until the fight and once we get to the fight and I put down my four corner men, he won’t be on the list.”