Ariza Pleased With Pacquiao's First Week of Progress

by Ronnie Nathanielsz

As "Fighter of the Decade" Manny Pacquiao winds down his first week of training at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach in Los Angeles with his third sparring session today, there are plans to try some "new things" next week.

Strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that while both trainer Roach and himself were pleased over the first week's training and were more than happy to see Pacquiao in good condition after two weeks of training in his hometown of General Santos City, they plan "to introduce new things next week."

However, Ariza didn't indicate what the new things are.

Pacquiao went through another tough day at the gym, running through his usual routine with Ariza describing it as "a good day of work."

He said that while Pacquiao "sometimes appears to lose momentun, he still looks good and strong" but that the eight division world champion needs to "keep the momentum."

Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38KOs) returns on December 8th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, facing Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez (54-6-1, 39KOs) for a fourth time in the main event of an HBO pay-per-view.