https://web.archive.org/web/20140221141911/http://www.tsn.ca:80/boxing/story/?id=431898
September 15 2013
Boxing Sunday
FROM PACMAN TO BAMBAM RIOS:
THE UGLY PERSONA OF ALEX ARIZA
By Manny Pinol
Alex Ariza, the Colombian-American conditioning coach of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, was considered as one of the closest sports advisers of the Pacman.
I saw with my own eyes how close they were.
Once, in Manny’s Palazzo Apartment in Los Angeles, I saw the Pacman and Ariza play chess until the late hours of the evening.
But following a professional decision made by chief trainer Freddie Roach to yank out Ariza from the training team, Ariza has shown that he was not really a friend Manny thought him to be or at least considered him to be.
Perhaps offended by his ouster, Ariza did what could be a proof of the flaw in his character – he went straight to the camp of Pacquiao’s next opponent, Brandon “Bambam” Rios, to help the Mexican-American fighter prepare for what could be the most important fight in the Pacman’s career.
It is understood that as a conditioning coach, Ariza had access to all information related to Manny Pacquiao’s physical conditioning, including the secrets to his strength and weaknesses.
Ariza and his ilk are common in the world of politics where the motto is: “In Politics, there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests.”
In sports, however, Ariza has shown a character which could be considered as the worse of the worst.
Today, Manny Pacquiao, the gentle person who also has a soft and generous heart for his friends is starting to discover that many of those who hovered around him when he was at the zenith of his boxing career were not the friends he thought they were.
Many of them were actually leeches who dropped off to suck blood in other places when they felt that Manny had nothing more to give.
But if I know Manny, he would simply shrug this off and say: “There is God who will handle all of this.”
More Stories
Trump Presidency Boon To Philippine Agriculture
Mindanao Fruit Fest Scheduled Sept. 2025
DA, MinDA, LGU! MinDA Targets Tribal Areas For Highland Rice Farming