Underdog Boxing: Please leave Alex Ariza alone

Alex Ariza is an integral part of Manny Pacquiao’s success. Much of the credit must still be given to Pacquiao and head trainer Freddie Roach, but Ariza deserves some props for the work he has done with Pacquiao. Ariza was brought in just before the rematch against Juan Manuel Marquez to treat Pacquiao’s shoulder, but it became a full-time gig soon after, as both Roach and Pacquiao were pleased with the results. Pacquiao and Roach realized that they needed to do something to make sure that they stayed ahead of the game, and Ariza was the best man to help them out. 99% of the trainers in boxing will live and die with their old methods. “This is how we did it in the old days, so this is how we will do it now," they always say. Ariza came in and changed Pacquiao’s training drastically. Pacquiao and Roach still do their usual routines, but Ariza added exercises to make sure Pacquiao is in great condition. He brought in a whole new dimension to the already awesome partnership between Roach and Pacquiao. Before every fight, Roach creates a game plan specific for Pacquiao’s next opponent; a little more power against Hatton and a little more speed against Cotto and Margarito. Ariza then devises an exercise regimen that will cater to Roach’s requests. No two routines are the same. Ariza came from humble beginnings to become a part of one of the most successful partnerships in modern boxing, but now there are some people who want him out. After Amir Khan defended his world title against Marcos Maidana, Khan’s team broke its ties with Ariza. Say what you will about that match, but I think Khan would not have survived the tenth round if it wasn’t for the kind of training he went through with Ariza. Then there was a rumor that Ariza was out as Pacquiao’s conditioning trainer, but Pacquiao himself debunked the rumor. The latest news is that Ariza has also been kicked out of the team preparing Julio Caesar Chavez, Jr. But in a recent interview, Ariza said he talked to the team of Chavez and they told him that it wasn’t true. Safe to say, there are some people who are out to destroy Ariza’s reputation. There can be a multitude of reasons, but my money is on the possibility that some of the people around Pacquiao are irked by the fact that Ariza is being given credit and not them. My message to those detractors: Leave Ariza alone. Ariza has helped Pacquiao reach the level he is in right now. He has prepared Pacquiao so well that steroid rumors have been thrown his way. The millions and millions of Pacquiao’s fans are not interested in the politics going on behind the scenes. All we care about is watching Pacquiao beat everyone who stands in his way to having a career comparable only to those of the finest fighters to ever lace up gloves. Ariza helps Pacquiao do that, so he’s a good guy on our books. We definitely want him in Pacquiao’s corner. - KY, GMA News