Ariza: There’ll be fireworks early on but…

LAS VEGAS—Shane Mosley’s trainer thinks his ward has enough smarts in his head to pull off a surprise against Manny Pacquiao. Alex Ariza thinks “Sugar” is better off sticking to his hands and hoping they’ll be lucky enough to land a KO punch.

“I think Mosley’s only shot is to come in and knock Manny out early,” Ariza told Manila-based sportswriters. ‘There’ll be fireworks early on, but three (rounds) and on, Manny knows that we’re trained to push it, and push it to a comfortable level and push it into that level where he (Mosley) is not comfortable in.”

Mosley trainer Naazim Richardson, however, thinks that his corner has the game plan to counteract Pacquiao’s edge in energy, speed and power and that his ward has enough brains to apply the strategy on fight night.

“I was taken aback when I started working with him. He has a high IQ and he can apply it. He can carry out those game plans,” said Richardson.

Richardon said that Mosley’s experience will enable him to cope up with whatever situation or challenge that may crop up during the fight.

“You make adjustments when you get older. Naturally, you get smarter and make the necessary adjustments.”

Smart or not, Mosley’s chances will get dimmer with every passing round, said Ariza.

“Mosley is an old leg that’s the reality,” said Ariza, who swoons at Pacquiao’s new-found focus and intensity. The trainer believes that the work Pacquiao put into preparing for the May 7 bout at the MGM Grand here leaves no question as to who will end up victorious.

“I can’t believe the focus Manny had in this camp. Usually when they get older and gets successful, you see things get to go the other direction. But Manny just went above that I have ever seen since I’m been with him.”

Ariza said Pacquiao didn’t need any prodding, taking the initiative and wanting his body to be bigger and stronger.

“I didn’t have to force him to go to the tracks, I didn’t force him to get strength and conditioning, he chose to do it all on his own this time.”