Connect with us

Featured Articles

Strength and Conditioning Dish From Coach Roach

Published

on

UPDATE WEDNESDAY MORNING: I heard from Memo Heredia, so please scroll down for that material.

 

Nope, Freddie Roach isn’t concerned if Floyd Mayweather snaps up the best known strength and conditioning coaches in the boxing sphere, Alex Ariza, and Memo Heredia, ahead of the May 2 clash between “Money” and Manny.

What if Floyd hired Ariza and Memo full-time in the leadup to ‘the Clash for the most Cash,’ I asked Roach?

Whatev, was the gist of his response.

“Ariza worked with me, and then he was fired,” he recalled. “When he came here we got along pretty good,” the trainer said. Then things started going downhill. Ariza and Manny got along well, but he started rubbing Roach the wrong way, essentially over-stepping his bounds, in the trainers’ mind. Roach told me he had to watch his words, as Ariza lodged a suit against him after they went back and forth in the media last year. But he couldn’t resist taking a poke at the fitness ace, who has been seen periodically since last year working with Mayweather, and checking out his workouts at his gym. Roach cracked that after helping Manny get stretched out, Ariza’s main function was to oversee that the food at Manny’s favorite Thai joint was up to snuff. “He made sure Manny ate the right food,” said Roach, implying that the services of Justin Fortune are more than adequate for the task. Roach said that Ariza is taking legal action at him because he questioned but didn’t get an answer with enough specificity what ingredients were in drinks Ariza sometimes made for the fighter. “Why not give me the ingredients, give me an idea what’s in them,” asked Roach rhetorically.

I texted Ariza to get his side and will insert his side of the beef if and when he responds. An April 11 LA Times story referred to the suit, which states that Roach publicly said Ariza “gave fighters performance-enhancing drugs.”

“As a result of this publication, [Ariza] has suffered and will continue to suffer monetary damages as well as irreversible injury to his reputation and image,” attorney Jonathan S. Milder wrote in the five-page complaint, the Lance Pugmire story said.

The men took their animosity to a new level when Ariza was working with Brandon Rios ahead of his clash with Pacman in November 2013, soon after being let go by the Pacman crew. They had a physical altercation in Macau, and not long after, Ariza and Rios and Rios’ trainer Robert Garcia parted ways.

Now, if Heredia hooks on with Mayweather, Roach said he thinks pretty highly of that supplement and strength and conditioning expert. “He’s one of the smartest guys I’ve met,” Roach said. “He’s a real nice guy.” In fact, he said that Heredia discussed offering his services to Team Pacquiao but Roach said he passed, because of the baggage factor. (Memo told me common friend Mickey Rourke brought up the possible Memo/Manny/Freddie pairing. “Rourke felt I could re-establish Manny’s conditioning,” Memo told me late Tuesday night. “Roach is a nice guy, we have no problems between each other, I admire his work and legacy in boxing.”

He said Memo’s dad is a chemistry profressor, according to a news clip I saw, who has volunteered his services and knowledge base to the trainer, who battles Parkinson’s. His condition is manageable, he said, so he said thanks but not right now, and is grateful for the offer. Memo confirmed the offer. “Yes, my father did offer him access to new studies and research data in the area of neurology last year. My father will be presenting a new study and findings in Parkinson and Alzheimer’s conditions in Mexico soon.”

All in all, Roach said that even if Ariza shows up at the LA presser and seeks to re-acquaint himself physically, he won’t go there. “He kicked me in Macau, I’m not a great kickboxer. I’m 55 now, no more fights! I’m not going to get into a fight with Alex, or Floyd’s dad. Sure, there might be some stuff verbally, but it’s not going further than that.”

Roach plays the role of stuff-stirrer real well, and the role is I dare say needed when you consider that the last time Pacman talked trash was…well, do you recall him ever talking trash? In a sport which needs buzz to be conjured in build-up to bouts, Roach is aces at the task, and yes, sometimes he’s willing to go a wee bit overboard in the role…but that stems from, I suspect, his passion for his guy Manny, as much as anything, as well as his own competitive nature. Once a fighter…

Follow Woods on Twitter. @Woodsy1069

WATCH RELATED VIDEOS ON BOXINGCHANNEL.TV

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Paro
Featured Articles6 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles5 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles4 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles19 hours ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles3 days ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles4 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles5 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles6 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending