Ariza: I didn't want Manny Pacquiao ripped this time

09.06.12

By @livefight

Pacquiao's strength and conditioning coach has poured cold water on speculation that the fighter's appearance at the weigh-in had cause for concern.

“We did the right thing. We slowed down just with enough time for his body to bounce back." Ariza told the Manilla Standard.

"We had a good weight and didn’t try to drop kind of fast and trying to change back and forth. Physically I think he’s ready. There’s nothing to worry about the training, that’s for sure.”

“I didn’t want him ripped this time. I didn’t want him all muscular. In the past the body fat was too low and I think that was a huge contribution to his dehydration and the cramping.

"He is now much better physically. This is the first time that he did his running and training but not as intensely as in the past and that gave his body a chance to bounce right back and that’s why we came in with a nice weight.”

The coach said the fighter was now relaxing with his wife Jinky, without the usual hordes of people that normally surround him before a big fight.

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