So just how is Freddie Roach getting
along with Manny Pacquiao's strength-and-conditioning coach, Alex Ariza? If you’ve
been watching “24/7” on HBO, you'd say that if this were a marriage, they'd be
sleeping in separate beds and preparing the divorce papers. Roach said on the
most recent episode that Ariza will not be in the corner come fight night
(although that might be Pacquiao's decision when it's all said and done).
“The thing is, I just spoke
the truth. He shook my hand yesterday; I told him I was throwing the first
pitch out [for last Wednesday's Dodgers game] and he gave me some advice on how
to throw the first pitch out. There's no problem,” stated Roach, a couple of days
before the third episode of “24/7” was aired. “I'm never going to let my
fighter see any tension in the camp, that there's something wrong, because
Manny's the most important thing and that's what we have to worry about. So
there's not going to be a fist fight or anything like that in the Wild Card or
anything like that. If Manny wants Alex here, that's his choice and he's going
to be here.”
Of the months they spent
preparing for this fight, Roach says, “We had a great camp. Manny's been very
focused- a lot more focused- lot less distractions; sparring’s been very good.”
