November 22 Showdown in Macao!
Boxing loves upsets. Fans love cheering on the underdogs they identify with.
And this Saturday night, New York’s new boxing hero Chris Algieri plans on shocking the world once again. The lanky 30-year-old will square off against the 36-year-old multi-division champ Manny Pacquiao at The Venetian Macao’s CotaiArena. The clash is promoted by Top Rank, Sands China, MP Promotions, Star Boxing, Banner Promotions and will air on HBO PPV.
The prizefighters will lock horns for Pacman’s WBO welterweight title.
And while “The Chris Algieri Show” continues to peak fans’ interest, there seems to be two camps divided in the boxing world: those who believe Algieri can pull of the big upset and those who swear the kid doesn’t stand a chance and will be knocked out by the Filipino superstar. Algieri’s got great conditioning on his side, good boxing skills and the heart and desire to win. He beat the “Siberian Rocky” Ruslan Provodnikov after fighting one-eyed in their June bout which earned Algieri (20-0, 8 KOs) the golden opportunity to face off against Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 KOs). He became known as the scholar and boxer and a real-life “Rocky” the fans are rooting for.
But is Chris Algieri ready for Manny Pacquiao?
But the two boxers’ records alone speaks volumes in their level of experience and their opposition in whom they’ve faced is also telling. Yet Algieri’s loyal fans say the Stony Brook boxer can pull off another shocking win. And Pacquiao’s followers say no chance, no way the upstart Algieri will win. Pac’s got the speed, angles, power. Manny’s faced all the big names (with the exception of Mayweather) while Chris’ biggest name to date was his unexpected victory over Provodnikov.
Algieri’s camp remains steadfast in their quest to shake up the boxing universe come November 22 in Macao, China. What surprises many is that Chris’ first pro boxing bout was his professional debut. A former kickboxer, the Italian/Argentinean has no amateur boxing experience. He entered the pro ranks at the age of 24.
Manny Pacquiao’s rise in the sport first began in 1995 when the southpaw made his own pro debut. Since then the General Santos City slugger and trainer Freddie Roach have gained worldwide fame and fortune along the way. This weekend, boxing pundits and keyboard critics are predicting a KO victory for the Congressman/Champ. The speedy dynamo has been boxing for over 19 years now while Algieri has been a pro boxer for just six years now after being an unbeaten kickboxing champ.
But the younger, taller Chris Algieri and his camp believe the opposite. I had a chance to watch their last weekend training session at the Venetian Las Vegas before they left for Macao last week. Chris, trainer Tim Lane, famed cutman Jacob “Stitch” Duran (a new addition to the team) and Team Algieri’s Kevin Rooney all seem to be handling all the new found fame and attention well. Veteran fighter and sparring partner Zab Judah had also worked with the camp while they were in Vegas.
The guys were pumped up; the WBO light welter champ on point with his weight and conditioning. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science and a Master’s Degree as well so he knows his stuff. After his boxing career winds down, he says he plans on going to medical school. But first the showdown versus Pacquiao. Algieri told me he was really looking forward to traveling to China and couldn’t wait to get to Macao. The vibe in the gym (set up in the Vegas casino) remained spirited and upbeat throughout the two-hour session that took place on November 8. See below for a video of Chris in the ring and photos from the day. The guys were bursting with positive energy as Chris went through his workout including jump rope, shadow boxing, hitting the bags and paddles with his trainer before finishing up with the medicine ball and intense stretching and balancing exercises before meeting some fans who waited to greet the new “People’s Champ.”
And during the workout, trainer Tim Lane would pause, look out toward the spectators ringside and shout with a nod: “And the NEW…”
Team Algieri is visualizing Chris taking the title from Manny and becoming the new WBO welterweight champeen of the world.
Thoughts, hopes and desires are one thing. Actions are another. And Algieri’s harshest critics say the kid doesn’t stand a chance against one of the pound-for-pound bests in the world. Chris has nothing to lose in this match. If he wins, he will indeed shock the world. If he is defeated, he loses to one of the elite legends in the game while picking up a nice paycheck.
Boxing loves upsets. But boxing fans have also enjoyed watching Pacquiao for almost two decades now and many want to see him further cement his legacy. For Manny, this is a must-win for him. His last TKO (Miguel Cotto) and KO (Ricky Hatton) victories were back in 2009. And everyone wants to see his killer instinct back with a starching of Algieri. Will Manny’s fire and desire be evident? Will Pacquiao, 36, be motivated to floor his younger, fresher rival who will be gunning for him and hoping to outbox his way to a victory?
Will this be a competitive match and not a blowout? Is Chris Algieri ready for Manny Pacquiao?
Scheduled for 12 rounds, tune in this Saturday to who will prevail!
Algieri Training:
Photos by Michele Chong