Ariza thinks Pacquiao’s conditioning will be the difference

By Boxing News - 11/01/2011 - Comments

Image: Ariza thinks Pacquiao’s conditioning will be the differenceBy John F. McKenna (McJack): Just as in the lead up to any major fight, the excitement begins to build during the final days leading up to the match. It is difficult not to get caught up into the media hype which surrounds any big fight.

The November 12 showdown between WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KO’s) and WBO/WBA lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KO’s) is no exception. The MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas will be the venue for the 3rd fight in the Pacquiao – Marquez trilogy.

Over the past few days there have been articles coming from the Marquez camp indicating that the 3rd fight will be the most difficult one yet for Pacquiao. Manny’s strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza has fired back with his own thoughts on what he thinks will take place when “Pacman” and “El Dinamita” square off in their big showdown. Ariza was quoted in the Malaya business insight saying the following:

“I don’t know but I think they got Marquez so big in so short a time. I’m not in his camp so I can’t speak for them, but the thing is, I would never get my guy that big, that fast because you never know how they are going to respond to carrying that kind of weight when it comes to a fight. Marquez put on a lot of size really quick.

“I have been saying this and I’ll say it again, muscles don’t win fights. It’s the manner in which you build muscles that could win fights. Manny did it gradually, slowly.”

Ariza, who is a nutrition science graduate, contends that while Pacquiao did add weight and muscle he did it gradually over a period of years and feels that Marquez will not be able to compete with Pacquiao on an equal endurance level with the sudden increase in weight.

When Pacquiao and Marquez last fought in 2008, Manny was a super featherweight. Since that time he moved up to lightweight, light welterweight and finally welterweight.

Ariza believes for Marquez to have any chance at all he needs to come out with guns blazing early on in the hope of catching Pacquaio with a lucky punch. Ariza concedes that Marquez’ conditioning coach Angel Hernandez , who trained Jamaican world sprint king Usain Bolt is good but he does not believe that Marquez can be transformed in that short a time span.

Pacquiao’s endurance over the long haul is what Ariza believes will ensure him of victory. He has the ability to maintain a high energy output for the entire 12 rounds if need be. Ariza does not think Marquez can compete at that same level of high energy.



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