TRAINER Freddie Roach and conditioning expert Alex Ariza will work on strengthening the mid-section of Manny Pacquiao in preparation for his showdown against Britain?s Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas on May 2.

Ariza, who has worked with Roach in getting Pacquiao into the best shape of his life in his ninth-round KO of World Boxing Council lightweight champion David Diaz and his eighth-round stoppage of Oscar de la Hoya, told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that Hatton is a very solid body puncher.

Roach earlier told Standard Today that Hatton?s body punches are the Briton?s best weapon.

At the same time, the trainer noted that Hatton fights rough and had the tendency to push his opponent against the ropes, throw a couple of punches and them grab so the opponent couldn?t counter.

Roach said his fight plan would have Pacquiao keep the fight in the center of the ring, like he did against De la Hoya and use his speed and angles to get at Hatton and wear him down before hopefully taking him out in the late rounds.

Ariza said that mindful of Hatton?s strength, he was working on a program that would further strengthen Pacquiao?s mid-section, which is the same thing he is doing with British lightweight Amir Khan, who is training at the Wild Card gym for his March 14 clash with Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera. Ronnie Nathanielsz