Manny ?PacMan? Pacquiao could find himself in trouble if he comes not fully prepared for his June 9 welterweight title defense against unified light welterweight champ Timothy Bradley on June 9, according to PacMan?s strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza.
Pacquiao is currently a 5-1 favorite to keep his World Boxing Organization welterweight title against the unbeaten Bradley at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.
Ariza, who had suggested the same rigorous training regimen that brought knockout victories for Pacquiao, did not hide his frustration over the fact that the Filipino pound-for-pound best boxer in the world will not start formal training camp in Baguio City until April 16.
That effectively gives Pacquiao, 33, about eight weeks preparation compared to the usual 10-month training camps he underwent in preparing for his fights against Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.
In his career-defining fight with De La Hoya, the smaller Pacquiao forced the former Mexican-American top boxing draw to retire at the end of the eighth round and eventually forced him into retirement.
Against the Hatton, then the lineal light welterweight champion of the world, Pacquiao had the same grueling regimen to produce a devastating second round knockout against the British star that won for PacMan ?Knockout of the Year? honors. Like De La Hoya, Hatton never quite recovered from that loss and eventually hung his gloves.
?We can?t have a bad camp,? Ariza told Boxingscene.com. ?His physical conditioning is very important. This must happen all the way.?
In his last three or four fights, the hard-punching Pacquiao failed to deliver knockout wins that have catapulted him to the top of the world boxing totem pole.
And in his third fight against Mexican arch-rival Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao was pushed to the limit and escaped with a controversial majority decision against the 38-year-old counter-puncher.
Against the 28-year-old Bradley, holder of the WBO and World Boxing Council light welter titles, Ariza wants to see Pacquiao not less than in his devastating best by putting the hard work attain tip-top conditioning.
?He?s a high-volume puncher who?ll come forward,? Ariza said of Bradley, who is nicknamed ?Desert Storm.?
?Bradley?s not a technical guy like [Juan Manuel] Marquez. He fights somewhat like Manny. That?s why I think it?ll be an explosive fight. It?s up to Manny how to prepare for Bradley. And against Bradley, he wants to prove something.?
Ariza said Bradley?s attacking style suits Pacquiao?s speed and explosiveness well and would bring out the best in PacMan.
?[Manny?s] competitive spirit will take over. How he trains will impact on how he does against Bradley,? Ariza, adding that if he trains properly, Pacquiao ?could blow that guy away in less than five rounds.?
