MANILA, Philippines—Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach has said that strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza will remain with Team Pacquiao despite rumors that the Colombian is on his way out.
Roach, speaking to the Inquirer from his Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles recently, 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 recently and Ariza said the pound-for-pound king wanted him to fly to General Santos City where he would begin early training for the showdown against three-time champion Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 7.
Roach himself will 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 in 2008, 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.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said "everything is rolling along" and that Ariza has remained part of the team.
Arum said he was "delighted that Manny is training seriously because I don't care whatever anybody says. This is going to be Manny's toughest fight."
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