Chris Algieri, who recently upset Ruslan Provodnikov in Brooklyn for the WBO light welterweight title on June 14, appears to be the pick for Manny Pacquiao's November fight in China. That's if he responds to the contract offer.
According to reports, Algieri's had the standing offer for over a week and hasn't responded to it; if he continues to wait Top Rank is going to pull the offer off the table.
Algieri receives offer to face Pacquiao
"It's the opportunity of a lifetime," Algieri's promoter Joe DeGuardia said in a phone interview with The New York Daily News. "I need to know his answer. It's been a week. No one has told me anything about needing more money. Hopefully he comes to his senses but if I don't hear anything [by Monday] we'll likely lose the offer."
Algieri is reportedly unhappy with the $1.5 million offer from Top Rank for the November 22 bout in which he will also receive a slice of the pay-per-view sales. "If we're going to make this fight happen, I value myself and my health very highly," Algieri told Newsday. "I just want what I deserve."
Algieri's biggest payday came vs. Provodnikov, when he earned $100,000, so the Pacquiao paycheck is a big increase. DeGuardia believes Algieri's getting bad advice, and expressed disappointment that he's dragging his feet.
"I'm just very surprised and disappointed by what's going on," DeGuardia said. "I know what a deal is worth and this is a good deal. I think he's getting advice from people who aren't in the business and they're not giving him good advice. This deal is a no-brainer. I have to think he's going to come to his senses eventually."
If the Algieri matchup goes by the wayside, Amir Khan may fill in. Earlier this month Khan said he's willing to face Pacquiao after it was clear a bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. wasn't in the cards.
"We have a good history together; we both were trained by Freddie Roach, we sparred together hundreds of times, we are friends. But boxing is a business and I want to fight him and beat him," Khan said.
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