STRENGTH and conditioning coach Alex Ariza, who worked with Manny Pacquiao for six years and was later recruited by Floyd Mayweather Jr., said that the eight-division world champion Filipino was short-changed in his May 2 “Fight of the Century” with the unbeaten pound-for-pound No.1 on May 2, 2015.
In a wide-ranging, exclusive interview aired on Viva Sports “The Main Event” on Pinoy Box Office on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. and replayed Sunday at10:30 a.m., Ariza revealed that Mayweather “was concerned about how much money Manny Pacquiao got. There were things that didn’t add up to Floyd and Manny should have made much more than he got.”
Ariza alleged that Mayweather “was shocked at what he (Pacquiao) got.”
While various amounts have been mentioned in the media, nobody has really confirmed how much Pacquiao ultimately received.
“That’s another reason that Floyd says Manny is in the upper echelons and should become independent so he gets what he deserves,” said Ariza, although Mayweather pointed out that “Manny is a man and can speak for himself.”
The strength and conditioning coach revealed that Mayweather made almost half-a-billion dollars and would like to give something back to the Philippines by setting up a TBE, The Best Ever, rehabilitation, recuperation and wellness center for all athletes.
Ariza said Mayweather has a great deal of respect for Pacquiao and the Philippines and believes Manny is a good fighter and has some fight left in him.