LAS VEGAS – Conditioning coach Alex Ariza said that Manny Pacquiao looked lost during his losing effort against Floyd Mayweather at the MGM Grand and even insinuated that it is time for his former boss to revamp his training team.
“He needs a new team,” said Ariza after Mayweather’s masterful 12-round unanimous decision win.
Ariza, who was tapped in 2008, was kicked out of the team in 2013 after a falling out with chief trainer Freddie Roach.
Despite the defeat, Ariza feels Pacquiao still has a lot left in the tank but a major change should be in place for him to regain his lost glory.
“Manny did the same thing every round,” said Ariza, stressing that Pacquiao wasn’t even in his usual self with less than 500 punches throw in the 12-rounder.
Pacquiao later divulged that he reinjured his right shoulder in the fourth round and that made it difficult for him to execute his gameplan to the fullest.
Ariza was brought in by Mayweather to help him get ready for Pacquiao in the richest fight in boxing history.
It was when Ariza was still around when Pacquiao scored huge wins over Oscar De La Hoya in 2008 and Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto in 2009.
The last time Ariza worked under Pacquiao was during the fourth fight – a sixth-round knockout loss – at the hands of Mexican counter-puncher Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012. (Nick Giongco)