Is Alex Ariza out of Team Pacquiao? My answer to that is the same answer to the question, "Does Manny Pacquiao quit in a fight?" Hell no! Just to be clear, this is not an official statement, but it is my official opinion based on my knowledge of all the parties involved. What a mistake it would be if it was true. Alex is a part of Team Pacquiao and a necessary one at that. His ability to get the Pacman to push himself to the next level is something that is not easy for anyone to do.
I am a fan of the Pacman, and if I am a fan of the Pacman, I am a fan of everyone that actually helps him, both inside and outside of the ring. That being said, I am a fan of Alex Ariza, who should get a piece of the credit for the success that Pacquiao has had over the last few years. It is not easy to gain muscle without losing your speed, pop, and stamina in the muscle belly. Pop is that ability to land punches with a snap, similar to the way a martial artist delivers a blow to a stack of bricks, destroying each one with one fluid strike. It's that same pop that the Pacman used to destroy Ricky Hatton.
Manny Pacquiao did not put on muscle just by eating quality foods; he also did it through proper exercise that Alex Ariza implemented and taught to him. Ariza was wise to integrate his strength and conditioning exercises in parallel with the teachings of the best trainer in the world, Freddie Roach. Not too many people in the world know how to accomplish that. To be honest, I do not even think Alex fully understood everything he would be able to achieve working with Manny, but he worked hard at bringing new ideas to one of the oldest sports in the world. Alex took chances, he adapted to the environment, and he worked towards what needed to be done. It did not matter how bumpy that road was; he just found a way to get it done.
I believe Alex himself has learned while teaching, and that is the true art of being a master. A master of their craft is not stuck on one element; they continue to learn and evolve. This is what makes Alex Ariza special to the camp, this is what made Freddie Roach essential to the camp, and this is what has made Manny Pacquiao special to the world.
My final statement is: if you do not hear it out of Manny Pacquiao's mouth, don't believe it! I, for one, am waiting to hear what Manny Pacquiao officially has to say regarding these rumors.
MPBOXING.COM will get an "official Statement" from both Alex Ariza and Manny Pacquiao once they are both together in the U.S. and the truth can be confirmed.