Heading into the second waive of negotiations for the proposed super bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, people seemed unsure as to whether or not the contest would truly come off. Differences at the negotiating table over money and drug testing seemed to be a serious red flag but when it was announced by Bob Arum in late June that a resolution was close many people got their hopes up.
One person who was still skeptical was Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza. The Columbia native had always had his doubts as to whether Floyd wanted to test himself against a fight of Pacquiao’s caliber, pointing to the combative differences of each man's nature in the ring. So last night when promoter Bob Arum noted that he was looking past Mayweather and on to other bouts for his superstar fighter, Ariza was hardly surprised yet still slightly down.“I’ll be really honest that I’m really not thinking about it,” the always busy Ariza said. “I’m disappointed like everybody else. I’m not surprised for sure. I’ve been saying it forever that Floyd just didn’t want to face Manny. I’m sure Michael Koncz and Bob will figure out what the next move is. We’ll be ready for whatever is next.”
What is next for Pacquiao is still uncertain but the two names being mentioned right now are former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito and Puerto Rican banger Miguel Cotto. While Cotto was thoroughly destructed by Pacquiao in November of last year he bounced back last month by moving up in weight and claiming the WBA Jr. Middleweight championship with a solid 9th round stoppage over game Yuri Foreman. But was it enough of a turnaround to make Ariza think that the Caugus fighter had rejuvenated his career?
“It’s really hard to say,” Ariza said. “I thought Yuri was starting to come on. Then he went down and he was without his legs and it’s kind of like fighting with one arm.”
So what then of Margarito, the scarred Tijuana fighter whose career took a serious hit when he was caught with elements of plaster of paris in his gloves before his January 2009 loss to Shane Mosley? Margarito may forever have a black cloud over his head but he is still a threat because of his imposing size, granite chin, and pressing style. When looking at the 32-year old Ariza can’t point out any strengths or weaknesses, noting that everything would lie in trainer Freddie Roach’s hands.
“He’s the master strategist when it comes to those kind of things,” Ariza said with respect. “Whatever game plan he comes up with I’m sure will be the game plan for us to win. I would just do my best to get Manny in the best condition and shape possible.”
Speaking further on his life Ariza noted that since finishing camp with Wild Card transplant Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. he has been working with Vanes Martirosyan and some fighters from the Ukraine, including WBA welterweight champion Vyacheslav Senchenko, who has been sparring intensely with Cincinnati, Ohio’s Rashad Holloway. It is obvious in speaking to Ariza that he is taking everything in stride and he speaks at though he could see the writing on the wall well beforehand.
“Pretty much. I know more than I read but it has always just been my personal opinion that Floyd just wouldn’t take that risk. Unfortunately I was right.”
Source: target=blankexaminer.com
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