Manny Pacquiao's ascent from entertaining brawler to pound-for-pound crown claimant is largely credited to the expert tutelage of trainer Freddie Roach. Another man who played a role in Pacquiao's rise was strength trainer Alex Ariza, who now finds himself training Brandon "Bam Bam" Rios.
Rios is Pacquiao's opponent in November, but if Ariza had it his way he'd still be with Pacquiao.
"You think I would have ever left him? I never would have left him but I have to pay the bills too. I respect Manny and his decision. When Kevin Iole told me I was fired I said I respect Manny if that's what he wants. I don't want to make it complicated I want the best for him, and planned to take a vacation and spend some time with my family."
He has framed the decision to work with Rios as a strictly business move, and not retribution for his ouster, which clearly still stings him. Talking with boxingscene.com, Ariza seemed deeply hurt by Pacquiao's decision to cut ties.
"Manny could have called me over the phone and told me himself in a dignified, professional, and affectionate manner and said 'hey bro, I just don't want to have any trouble in my camp this time I'm just going to let you go.' He didn't have to wait. He could have told me months ago instead of waiting until the last minute. He was not the one who did it, he let Freddie [Roach] do it over an internet chat."
Ariza has intimate knowledge of Pacquiao's strengths, weaknesses and training methods, which could be a huge boost to Rios' chances in Macau. Pacquiao is hoping to score a knockout win to vault him back into boxing's upper echelons, and perhaps even to a bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
With Ariza on his side now, though, Rios may pose an even bigger threat than ever.
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