There’s a sign on the front desk at the Wild Card Gym that facetiously reads “MICHAEL KONCZ FAN CLUB MEETING TONIGHT CANCELLED”. At the bottom of the sign, written in marker it says “President / By: Alex Ariza”
Who put this sign up?
“Gerry Penalosa”, said Freddie Roach smiling, “stirring the pot”.
Penalosa, a former bantamweight and super flyweight titleholder, made this sign poking fun at an incident that happened in Manny Pacquiao’s previous training camp between Pacquiao’s strength & conditioning coach Alex Ariza and advisor Michael Koncz. The two had an altercation that got physical. Reports are the Ariza slapped Koncz.
However, everything’s been cool in preparation for this Saturday’s Joshua Clottey fight.
“It’s been a pretty good camp”, said the famed trainer, “the drama has been a lot less.”
Prior to Pacquiao’s fight with Miguel Cotto, there was the Ariza – Koncz incident and the camp was also split between two countries with part of the preparation taking place in the Phillipines and part in Hollywood.
Between the chaos of infighting amongst team members and traveling between continents (One which was victim to a natural disaster around that time), Pacquiao thrived and stopped Cotto to win a record 7th world title in his 7th weight division.
The biggest problem? The massive sea of humanity that gathers on the weekend outside the gym looking to get a glimpse of Pacquiao
“There’s about 300 people that are going to be here today thinking they can get an autograph and I’m not going to let Manny sign this close to a fight so it’s not going to happen.”
Pacquiao’s security team does a great job dealing with that as the hundreds chant, “Manny! Manny!” as Pacman makes his way from the gym to a nearby Thai restaurant.
All in all, it’s been smooth sailing for Team Pacquiao leading up to this weekends bout.
“Probably the least chaotic camp we’ve ever had”, said Roach.
