Manny Pacquiao
Very keen on his coming fight with Timothy Bradley, Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao has instructed strength and conditioning expert Alex Ariza to whip him back into tiptop shape starting March 26.
Ariza told FightHype.com Tuesday that he is leaving for Manila Wednesday night, arriving Friday morning, to chart Pacquiao’s training regimen for his defense of the World Boxing Organization welterweight crown against Bradley in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 10.
Bradley holds the WBO light welterweight belt.
Inactive since his majority decision victory over Mexican warrior Juan Manuel Marquez last Nov. 12, Pacquiao wants to build up his stamina first before fine-tuning his skills and reflexes for the eight-week training camp set in Baguio City and later in Hollywood.
According to Ariza, he will be returning to the United States in the third week of April to help Julio Chavez Jr. in his preparation for a showdown with Martin Murray on June 16.
Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach is expected to plane in before the month ends to supervise Pacquiao’s workouts and sparring sessions.
The unbeaten Bradley has actually started light training, according to Top Rank big boss Bob Arum, who promotes both Pacquiao and Bradley.