By Luke Furman
Strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza has responded to trainer Freddie Roach, who recently fired Ariza from the corner of Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KOs). In a sudden twist, Ariza is now working with Brandon Rios (31-1-1, 23 KOs) in Oxnard, California. Rios will face Pacquiao on November 23 in Macau, China. Ariza says Roach's health issues and declining physical condition is affected the way he trains fighters and lists Roach's record over the last two years to back up his words.
"Freddie can no longer physically push his fighters anymore. That's why it's caused a two year losing streak and it's getting fighters knocked out. At one time [Pacquiao] had a chance to beat Mayweather, but not now. Linares knocked out, Senchenko knocked out, Khan knocked out, Pacquiao knocked out, and this is just the start. They chose to listen to Roach and not to [me]," Ariza voiced on the social networks.
Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org
