Philippines, 17 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


WEIGHTS ADD EXPLOSIVENESS NOT MUSCLE MASS!


PhilBoxing.com




San Francisco, CA?WBC Lightweight Champion, Manny Pacquiao, is less than two months away from the biggest challenge in his illustrious boxing career, taking on former Middleweight titlist, Oscar De La Hoya. In the past, Pacquiao has been known to lack focus against certain types of opponents. That is far from the case for this fight. Not only has Pacquiao arrived at training camp a couple before his normal 8-week training grind, but also he has implemented new training techniques in preparation for this unique challenge.

Starting with his rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera back in October 2007, Pacquiao has struggled to make weight the limits for his fights. Even in his last fight against David Diaz last June, Pacquiao still had to sweat out 2 pounds to make the 135lbs weight limit the day before the weigh-in. However, for this fight, it will be highly unlikely that Manny will struggle to make 147lbs, the highest weight limit Pacquiao will attempt to make ever.

Originally, trainer Freddie Roach planned to have Manny weigh in at 142lbs the day before the fight and come into the ring at 146lbs. However, Freddie has switched up the game plan and will instead have Manny maintain the 147lbs limit throughout training camp, the weigh-in, and the night of the fight. This is definitely a luxury that 99% of today?s fighters would love to have.

Because Manny will not reduce weight below 147lbs, new strength and conditioning techniques will be implemented to take advantage of Manny not having to be on a weight reduction diet. In charged of this task is Alex Ariza, Manny?s strength and conditioning coach, who joined the team last June to prepare for the David Diaz fight.

One of the new techniques Pacquiao has been using is weight training. According to Pacman Enforcer, Rob Peters, who watches every Pacquiao training session, the weights are very light and is scientifically based that will enhance Manny?s explosiveness to a large degree. The weights training is not meant to add muscle mass in order for Pacquiao to fill into 147lbs. Also, the weights are not used everyday and Ariza likes to switch up the exercises so Manny doesn?t get complacent on any one routine.

In a sport like boxing, with a long history and tradition, weight training has been part of a new wave of training methods for today?s athletes. However, heavy lifting by boxers has hardly produced any positive results. Fighters who are built like steel statues usually do not have the same success as fighters who have traditional training methods.

Therefore, it will be interesting to see how these routines and training methods will enhance Pacquiao?s skills. Pacquiao also likes to play basketball to build up endurance and to keep active during off days. After a long cross country promotional tour, Pacquiao played 3 hours of full court basketball in San Francisco.

Top photo: Pacquiao (L) with conditioning coach Alex Ariza at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jason Aniel.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Esneth Domingo Trains at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles Ahead of His US Debut
    , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • Tatay Digong Birthday Run on March 28
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • 12-0 prospect Marco Romero to headline This Friday in Independence, Missouri
    , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • 700 athletes on March 21-22 at UM
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • United States Earns Four Gold Medals on Final Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Mon, 16 Mar 2026
  • Mexico wins 2 bronze medals at World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 16 Mar 2026
  • Arnold Barboza Jr. Shines in Welterweight Debut, Defeats Kenneth Sims Jr. to Claim Wbo Global Welterweight Title
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • WBC top contender Canoy returns to Davao with Unanimous Decision Victory
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • John Randall Peralta: The Future of the Philippine Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Alvin “Felemon” Dologuin Claims Win in Brico Santig’s Show in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Donaire's Yokohama Showdown: Can our Filipino Flash Outshine the Rising Sun? (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Wins Five of Eight Bouts on Day Six
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpasses Chamberlain's record of 127 consecutive NBA games with 20 points or more
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Stops Mexican Terminator Manuel Gallego in Eight Classic Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Weigh-in from Highland Boxing in Bangkok, Thailand; Dologuin in Action (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Oval rules 35th CityHeights slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Sims vs. Barboza and Dickens vs. Cacace Headline Doubleheader on DAZN
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rubilen Amit sustains amazing run of victories at WPBA Pool in New York
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Weights Set in Anaheim: Barboza Jr. and Sims Jr. Ready for Welterweight War; Collazo Defends Titles
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rising Young Star Yoenis Tellez Takes on Top Contender Brian Mendoza in New Co-Main Event of PBC Pay-per-View Event Available on Prime Video Saturday, March 28
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Five USA Boxers Qualify for Medal Rounds on Day Six of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rubilen Amit off to hot start in her WPBA debut
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Pavel Sosulin stops Victor Nagbe to remain unbeaten at IBA Pro 15 in Saint Petersburg
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Nicaraguan Boxing Commission hold Annual Awards to 2025 winners
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • BARBOZA JR. VS. SIMS JR. FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.