Chalk up one point for Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his camp with the presence of a former Manny Pacquiao aide under their wing. That is of course no other than Alex Ariza who joined the Mayweather camp earlier this 2015.
Ariza was fired in 2013 by Freddie Roach, both of whom had a rocky relationship. Roach claimed back then that he was suspicious that Ariza may have been placing 'something' in Pacquiao's drinks during workouts.
In what many initially perceived was a way to get into Pacquiao's head, seeing Ariza do his thing seems to have impressed the Mayweather camp.
Jeff Mayweather, the uncle and trainer of Floyd, was pretty impressed with what Ariza brings to the table as they prepare for the May 2, 2015 mega bout between Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao.
J. Mayweather admitted that his nephew Floyd has shown an increased level of punching power during sparring. Not only that, he has seen the results of Ariza's strength and conditioning techniques which he believes could churn out a different Mayweather on May 2.
To be precise, Jeff Mayweather describes his nephew now as a beast. This would be the first time to have a strength trainer and apparently the fruits of that method are showing right now.
On another end, Ariza can also help share Pacquiao's training methods during his tenure as the Filipino boxer's coach.
While most of Pacquiao's training techniques at the moment may have changed since Ariza's departure, it still remains that Ariza is aware of Pacquiao's flaws and weaknesses which Mayweather and company could use to their advantage.
Could these be enough proof that Mayweather will come out on top on May 2?
Mayweather is a 2-1 favorite but there are some who believe that Pacquiao has a good chance of pulling through.
Among them include the trainer of Juan Manuel Marquez, Nacho Beristain. For him, he believes that Pacquiao has a 45% chance of defeating Mayweather.
Beristain explains that he likes Pacquiao's handspeed and intelligence although it remains to be seen if these would be enough to weather Floyd's experience and in-ring tactics.
