READY FOR WAR

HOLLYWOOD-For the man in charge of keeping tab the weight and condition of the world's top pound-for-pound fighter, Manny Pacquiao definitely looks primed up for a war a week to go into his clash with Antonio Margarito of Mexico.
Alex Ariza, one-third of the key personalities making up Pacquiao's corner asserted that the Filipino boxing champion is now settled with his fighting weight and sees no problem when he finally comes face-to-face with his gigantic, 5-foot-11 opponent on Nov.13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,Texas.
"He's definitely in top shape,"said Ariza, Pacquiao's condition and physical strength coach since 2008. "He looks good, his quickness is there. I've heard a lot of concerns about his size, but i think, you know sometimes one compliments the other."
Proof of what Ariza was stressing propped up in Friday's training at the Wild Card gym here where the 31-year-old southpaw worked out for two tough hours before an animated crowd that included former two-time world champion Gerry Penalosa which he later capped by going 13 hard rounds at the mitts with trainer Freddie Roach.
Pacquiao currently weight at 147.5 pounds, four below the catchweight of 151 set for the 12 round bout.
But Ariza simply wants Pacquiao to be within 148 on the day of the fight as the load represents the Filipino's true fighting weight.
Like Roach and Pacquiao, Ariza a native of Colombia observe the fighting pride of the Philippines loses his speed and quickness when he weighs 150 or more.
"I don't want him at 150 because that not his comfortable weight," said Ariza, who first came on board as part of the team during the David diaz bout for the World Boxing Council lightweight championship.
Yet, even if Pacquiao comes in at 148 during the formal weigh-in, Ariza stressed Pacquiao will still enter the ring carrying the same weight since "his metabolism won't allow him to get bigger".
for Pacquiao bulk up, Ariza had to alter a little bit the food intake of the world's best fighter.
"We increased the fat intake and lowered the protein intake," said Ariza, who is sometimes at the receiving end of Pacquiao's wild antics while training at the gym.
"We also increased his intake of carbohydrates," he added it's actuaally making the adjustments needed to fuel him up to win the fight on Saturday." Neri who also cooks for the boxing champion admitted Pacquiao has been eating a lot in training compared to his previous fight.
Shortly after training, a simple awarding rite at the parking lot of the Wild Card gym took place where Pacquiao was presented a handsome 2011 model of Toyota Land Cruiser(worth$80,000) by the management of Toyota Glendale in it's effort to lend a hand in the promotion of the Manny Pacquiao Foundation.
Harlan Gittin of Toyota Glendale later also handed out to the boxing superstar a cheque.




BY:Gerry Ramos
Source: People's Journal

NOTHING TO HIDE: Pacquiao undergoes test.

Proof that he has nothing to hide, Manny Pacquiao finally underwent a urine test Wednesday, sample of which was brought by World Anti-Doping Agency(Wada) accredited doctor Alex Pineda to Manila from General Santos City.

Pineda, who is also associated with the Philippine Olympic Committee(POC),conducted the test at around mid-afternoon and then promptly returned back to Manila later in the day bringing with him the sample specimens.

Two samples labeled 'A' and 'B' and totaling 100ml. where taken by Pineda and will be sent to Thailand, Malaysia or China for further analysis.

"We're bringing the samples to this country because we don't have a Wada-accredites testing here," said Pineda.

The test was in compliance with the order of the Nevada State Athletic Commissions under chjairman Pat Lundvall for both Pacquiao and American Floyd Mayweather Jr. to submit themselves for a urine test within the next 48 hours in an effort to save their proposed March 13 mega-welterweight fight following a major disagreement on drug testing procedures.

Keith Kizer, the executive director of the Nevada-based commissions, said possible fines or suspension will be meted on either fighter in the event they failed to comply with the requirements.

"I don't know if this will help the chances of the fight happening. But will all this talk of drug tests, let's actually do one," Kizer said.

The Mayweather camp has yet to announce when teh flmboyant boxing superstar will undergo the same test.

According to Pineda, results of the test will either be sent to his office or to the Games and Amusements Board under chairman Eric Buhain.

It was Buhain who requested Pineda to go to General Santos City and conduct the test.

Pacquiao quickly took the test as his family is set to celebrate the birthday of his eldest daughter, Mary Divine Grace.

Despite the first positive sign that both fighters are not walking away from what many expects to be the richest bout in boxing history, both camps remain adamant on their respective demands on how to go about the blood testing procedure prior to the fight.

Bob Arum, whose Top Rank Promotions holds the right on the 31-year old Filipino boxing champ, had given the Mayweather camp a final-offer on Sunday, proposing three blood tests on each of the fighters and none within 30 days of the fight.

Pacquiao has said he fears having blood drawn less than 30 days before the fight would weaken him.

But Mayweather's camp issued a statement the following day indicating Pacquiao's reluctance to undergo blood testing within 30 days before the fight remained a stumbling block.

"Let the record be clear: Manny Pacquiao and his promotor Bob Arum are threatening to walk away from the largest fight in history," said in the statement released by Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions.

SOURCE: PEOPLE'S JOURNAL

AUTHOR: GERRY RAMOS