MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao will be heading into training for his fight with Brandon Rios without strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza.
This after PacquiaoÂÂ himself bared that his chief trainer Freddie Roach fired Ariza. The Filipino boxing icon revealed the news during a live chat with ESPN Sports Nation.
Asked about his training plan and whether Ariza will join him, Pacquiao responded: “Three months prior to fight. No, Freddie fired Alex.â€
It has been previously reported that Roach has had a rocky relationship with Ariza, who has worked on Pacquiao’s conditioning for his past fights.
There is no word yet regarding Ariza’s replacement.
Pacquiao and Rios are in New York on Wednesday to promote their fight on Nov. 24 at The Venetian Macao Resort in Macau.
The fighting congressman earlier confirmed he will train in the Philippines for the Rios fight.