Boxing
‘Unfair, unprofessional’: Roach, Arum blast Ariza for leaving Pacquiao camp
AFP
BAGUIO CITY — The absence of conditioning coach Alex Ariza in the next two weeks won’t affect the training of Manny Pacquiao, trainer Freddie Roach said over the weekend.
Ariza left for the US on Saturday to be with Mexican middleweight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., something that did not augur well with Roach and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.
Roach said it was wrong for Ariza to leave in the middle of Pacquiao’s training camp.
Ariza said he had an understanding with Pacquiao over his decision to be with Chavez Jr. and that they’ll see each other again at the Wild Card in Los Angeles.
Arum said Ariza acted unprofessionally and his move to be with Chavez “is unfair to Pacquiao and (British fighter) Amir Khan,” who are both here working with Roach.
In place of Ariza during last Saturday’s session was local trainer Marvin Somodio, who Roach would like to bring to the US to help him train fighters at the Wild Card.
Members of Team Pacquiao were actually glad that Ariza had to leave.
Buboy Fernandez, Pacquiao’s long-time friend and training assistant, said the local crew can get the job done in helping Pacquiao attain peak form.
