IF boxing fans were mesmerized by Manny Pacquiao’s brutal win over Oscar De La Hoya at welterweight, they will be in for a super treat once the Filipino ring icon gets his hands on Ricky Hatton at junior-welterweight.
That’s the belief of Pacquiao’s conditioning coach Alex Ariza, who told the Bulletin yesterday from Los Angeles that at 140 lbs (also known as super-lightweight and light-welterweight), "Manny will be absolutely lethal."
"This is the fight that will wow everybody," said Ariza, who has been tapped again by chief trainer Freddie Roach to help in the conditioning aspect of Pacquiao’s preparation for the May 2 showdown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Ariza’s task is to make sure Pacquiao stands up to the banging and bruising style of Hatton, something the amiable strength coach guarantees will happen come fight night.
"Manny’s just too fast and he’s just very skilled that I don’t see it (Pacquiao losing to Hatton) happening. I think the fight’ going to be over after six or seven rounds," he said.
To prepare for the tough grind at the Wild Card beginning next week with the arrival from Manchester of Roach, Ariza contantly meets up with Pacquiao during his daily morning roadwork in a park just outside the fighter’s apartment.
Roach is busy with his British prospect Amir Khan, who will face Marco Antonio Barrera this weekend.
"Manny’s just shedding off the rust, warming up and tomorrow we’ll start running in Griffith Park," said Ariza, who is also joined in lending a hand in Pacquiao’s preparation by new recruit Michael Moorer, the former world heavyweight champion, Wild Card assistant Eric Brown and Filipino assistants Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri.
Ariza said Pacquiao is down to 145 lbs now after showing up for training almost two weeks ago at 150 lbs.
Source: mb.com.ph
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