Trainer Freddie Roach and conditioning expert Alex Ariza will work on strengthening the mid-section of Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao in preparation for his showdown against Britain ’s Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton in Las Vegas on May 2.
Ariza who has worked with Roach in getting Pacquiao into the best shape of his life for his smashing 9th round KO of WBC lightweight champion David Diaz and his 8th round stoppage of Oscar De La Hoya told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that Hatton was “a very solid body puncher.”
Roach earlier told us that Hatton’s body punches are the Briton’s best weapon because “he is a very good body puncher.
At the same time the renowned trainer noted that Hatton fights rough and had the tendency to push his opponent against the ropes, throw a couple of punches and them grab so the opponent couldn’t counter.
Roach said his fight plan would have Pacquiao keep the fight in the center of the ring like he did against De La Hoya and use his speed and angles to get at Hatton and wear him down before hopefully taking him out in the late rounds.
Ariza said that mindful of Hatton’s strength, he was working on a program that would “further strengthen Manny’s mid-section” which is the same thing he is doing with promising British lightweight Amir Khan who is training at the Wild Card gym for his March 14 clash with Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera.
Ariza revealed that he would sit down with Roach who would tell him “what he wants and what he’s going to be looking for out of the fight.”
Ariza said he would “come up with whatever program is best and run it by Freddie and Freddie will make the decision at that time.”
Off hand Ariza indicated he would suggest “a lot of core work, a lot of strength exercises for his (Pacquiao’s) mid-section” but added that it would “all be up to Freddie.”
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