Chris Algieri, the WBO junior welterweight champion since June 14 when he upset Ruslan Provodnikov in Brooklyn, will take on Manny Pacquiao on November 22 in Macau, China. Since almost all of Pacquiao's comments in the news lately have been about Floyd Mayweather Jr., fans may have lost sight of the fact that the biggest fight of Algieri's career is drawing near.
Algieri was an unknown before upsetting Provodnikov, and remains a mystery to the majority of boxing fans. Before fighting on HBO his highest-profile bout was a unanimous decision victory over Emmanuel Taylor on ESPN2. The perception of him as a tune-up bout for Pacquiao hasn't diminished his confidence.
"I've got a great jab," Algieri said. "An effective jab will neutralize anything the other guy has. My movement is going to be a problem for him. That my conditioning will be on point is a given."
Algieri doesn't speak like a heavy underdog, and he explained that his confidence will continue to grow as he ramps up training.
"The process of the camp, as I get sharper and the rounds accumulate, as I develop a better understanding of who I will be facing and how I will beat him, my mental state will improve exponentially."
The undefeated Algieri has never faced obstacles like he will on November 22, however. Most of his fights have taken place on Long Island, where he hails from, or elsewhere in the New York area. Pacquiao is far and away the best fighter he's battled, and China represents hostile territory.
He has also never fought above 140 lbs., but dismissed that concern as a non-factor. "I'm the bigger man," Algieri said. "I'm three and a half inches taller and have a five-inch advantage in reach."
Algieri is also six years younger than Pacquiao. While he stopped short of saying Pacquiao's shot, he expects youth to be on his side.
"I'm not saying Pacquiao's old at 36, but I'm going to make him feel that way all night long."
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