How does a fighter like Algieri, a 30-year old former kickboxer with little in the way of pedigree or punching power end up in the ring with one of boxing's all-time legends? It starts with being in the right place at the right time and showing the gumption to get off the mat against slugger Ruslan Provodnikov in June.
The week before a big boxing match is one of the most exciting seven days in sports. The community gathers, either in person or on their computers, to discuss the upcoming bout in excruciating detail. By the night of the fight, anticipation has been built to a fever pitch—you can feel
the tension, excitement and pure adrenaline.
the tension, excitement and pure adrenaline.
There's nothing like it.
And there's nothing like it going on in Macau, China, this week as the great Manny Pacquiao (56-5, 38 KO's) prepares to step into the ring Saturday with Chris Algieri (20-0, 8 KO's), a virtual unknown.
How does a fighter like Algieri, a 30-year old former kickboxer with little in the way of pedigree or punching power end up in the ring with one of boxing's all-time legends? It starts with being in the right place at the right time and showing the gumption to get off the mat against slugger Ruslan Provodnikov in June.
"Algieri did just beat one of the best punchers in the world," Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach told the media in a conference call before the fight. "He got off the deck twice, and he showed a lot of heart. He definitely deserves to be there. It’s going to be a great fight. That’s why we are training so hard for this fight, and that’s why we have such good sparring partners because we are not taking him lightly at all."
While Algieri's win was a thrilling upset, it was a result that should have sent Provodnikov back a rung on the ladder, not one that propelled Algieri to the top. But, as Pacquiao waits for an opportunity against bigger game such as Floyd Mayweather Jr. or "Canelo" Alvarez, Algieri is the perfect opponent to make a splash.
Pac-Man made it clear to the media that he sees Algieri less as an opponent and more as an opportunity to add to his personal highlight reel.
"I don't want to underestimate my opponent. I have to prepare myself 100 percent," Pacquiao told the media on a conference call. "It’s been a while since the fans of Manny Pacquiao have seen the killer instinct like when I fought Cotto, Margarito, De La Hoya, Hatton. And that’s what I’m trying to show in this fight."
Can Pacquiao finish the fight in spectacular fashion, holding off the ravages of father time for a few more months? Or will the model handsome underdog prove to everyone that he belongs with the top fighters in the sport?
Our Bleacher Report boxing experts share our wisdom on these and other questions within. Have some thoughts of your own? Let us know in the comments
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Who Wins the Fight? When and How?
No matter how big Bob Arum made Algieri’s face on posters or how much time he allowed the college-educated challenger at microphones, this main event is a Manny Pacquiao showcase. The champion is more accomplished at welterweight, has faced better foes across multiple divisions and is a veteran of the unique spotlight that a pay-per-view main event brings.
If he’s as hungry for a highlight-reel performance as he’s indicated during the run-up, this thing is over before the halfway mark. Call it for Pacquiao, with a combined referee wave-off/corner surrender, in the first 90 seconds of the sixth round.
Will Manny’s Stock Rise, Fall or Hold Steady?
Given that media members are always ready to start a flash parade after a Manny victory—even in a fight where he’s a prohibitive favorite—the perception will be that his stock has risen. But, in reality, it’s a matchup far more dubious than the Mayweather-Maidana fight Arum wanted boycotted in the spring. So his stock holds steady at best.
The Moment We’ll Remember Most Is…
When Max Kellerman reaches mid-ring after the fight and says the name everyone knows he’ll say, “Mayweather,” he’ll get the reaction from Pacquiao that everyone knows he’ll get, something resembling “Yes, I want that fight.” But Arum will up the ante, literally, by suggesting they bring it to China and divvy up what could be a nine-figure purse.
Who Will Pacquiao Fight Next? When and Where?
Call me a cynic, but unless the world takes a suddenly agreeable turn and dogs lay down with cats, while Republicans agree with Democrats, the Mayweather fight ain’t happening anytime soon. So, instead, how about Manny versus a young Top Rank hotshot—Jessie Vargas—at the MGM in the spring.
Who Will Algieri Fight Next? When and Where?
Though he’ll be proven somewhere not quite on the level of a Pacquiao, it’ll still wind up as a lucrative and beneficial experience for Algieri. It’d make some sense, then, to give him a consolation prize at 140 and put together a rematch with Provodnikov on the would-be Pacquiao-Vargas show in Las Vegas.
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Who Wins the Fight? When and How?
Let me start with a confession: I came very close to picking Chris Algieri to win this fight. He has the length, range and style to make a big splash in Macau—you can’t truly appreciate his toughness unless you’ve seen him fight up close—but I just couldn’t pull the trigger.
Pacquiao isn’t the buzzsaw who battered Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito into oblivion anymore, but he’s still a devastating combination puncher who has become smarter as his ability to overwhelm has waned. Algieri is going to win rounds, probably more than you think, but Pacquiao will get there and stop him in Round 10.
Will Manny’s Stock Rise, Fall or Hold Steady?
Call me a homer, but you’re all sleeping on Algieri. This kid is tough as nails, and while I don’t see him winning the fight, it wouldn’t shock me. Pacquiao isn’t going to blow him out of the water as many expect. He’s going to have his struggles, and in the public eye his stock will fall as a result. Unfairly, I might add.
The Moment We’ll Remember Most Is…
Algieri going out on his sword in the championship rounds. Pacquiao will begin to land punches in bunches as his opponent becomes less able to deter him, and the corner will save their charge, but he’ll go out still swinging.
Who Will Pacquiao Fight Next? When and Where?
Pacquiao likes Macau, and you can’t blame him. The taxes are low, it’s not far from his home country and he can make good money fighting virtually anybody. He’ll once again light up the Cotai Arena next April, taking on Floyd Mayweather’s...former protege Jessie Vargas. Had you there for a second, didn’t I?
Who Will Algieri Fight Next? When and Where?
Algieri will buy himself another significant fight. He’ll defend his 140-pound title—assuming the WBO lets him keep it—in a rematch with Provodnikov in March. There was some debate over the scoring in the first contest, and the return bout will take place at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
USA TODAY Sports
Who Wins the Fight? When and How?
Pacquiao will stop Chris Algieri in Round 10 of a one-sided fight. Algieri will give Pacquiao the slip here and there during the first two rounds or so, but Pacquiao will home in on him after and let his hands go with real vigor.
Algieri doesn’t have the hand speed or power to bother Pacquiao. He’s a good boxer who likes to move, but nothing he throws at Pacquiao will be the type of punch that can keep Pacquiao off him over the course of 12 rounds.
Will Manny’s Stock Rise, Fall or Hold Steady?
It seems pretty clear that Algieri was selected as an opponent to help make Pacquiao look as good as he has in years. Perhaps Bob Arum and company are trying to force Floyd Mayweather’s hand in making the fight boxing fans have long wanted to see. In any event, Pacquiao will look great against Algieri, and his stock will rise.
The Moment We’ll Remember Most Is…
When Pacquiao starts landing three- and four-punch combinations at will on Algieri, fans will remember they didn’t really know or care about Algieri until the promotion for the Pacquiao fight started. He’s a good fighter, not elite. We’ll remember it when he’s battered.
Who Will Pacquiao Fight Next? When and Where?
Pacquiao will face Juan Manuel Marquez for the fifth time in April at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Pacquiao and Top Rank will feign interest in the Mayweather fight but balk at Mayweather’s ludicrous demands and make the next best fight available for the next most money.
Who Will Algieri Fight Next? When and Where?
Algieri will reap the rewards of participating in the Pacquiao fight. He’ll land another good gig on HBO, probably a rematch with Ruslan Provodnikov in June. This time the bout will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York rather than Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
USA TODAY Sports
Who Wins the Fight? When and How?
Pacquiao will stop Chris Algieri in Round 10 of a one-sided fight. Algieri will give Pacquiao the slip here and there during the first two rounds or so, but Pacquiao will home in on him after and let his hands go with real vigor.
Algieri doesn’t have the hand speed or power to bother Pacquiao. He’s a good boxer who likes to move, but nothing he throws at Pacquiao will be the type of punch that can keep Pacquiao off him over the course of 12 rounds.
Will Manny’s Stock Rise, Fall or Hold Steady?
It seems pretty clear that Algieri was selected as an opponent to help make Pacquiao look as good as he has in years. Perhaps Bob Arum and company are trying to force Floyd Mayweather’s hand in making the fight boxing fans have long wanted to see. In any event, Pacquiao will look great against Algieri, and his stock will rise.
The Moment We’ll Remember Most Is…
When Pacquiao starts landing three- and four-punch combinations at will on Algieri, fans will remember they didn’t really know or care about Algieri until the promotion for the Pacquiao fight started. He’s a good fighter, not elite. We’ll remember it when he’s battered.
Who Will Pacquiao Fight Next? When and Where?
Pacquiao will face Juan Manuel Marquez for the fifth time in April at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Pacquiao and Top Rank will feign interest in the Mayweather fight but balk at Mayweather’s ludicrous demands and make the next best fight available for the next most money.
Who Will Algieri Fight Next? When and Where?
Algieri will reap the rewards of participating in the Pacquiao fight. He’ll land another good gig on HBO, probably a rematch with Ruslan Provodnikov in June. This time the bout will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York rather than Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
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Who Wins the Fight? When and How?
Chris Algieri showed high ring intelligence and incredible heart in coming back to beat Ruslan Provodnikov by split decision. But Provodnikov, while a monster, is a technically limited fighter. Even this late in his career, Manny Pacquiao is on a higher level.
Algieri's height and reach advantage are eye-popping on paper, but Pacquiao's speed and agility have always allowed him to slip inside on longer fighters and exchange in close, where he is strongest. I do think Algieri will do better than some people expect and win some rounds.
But Pacquiao's use of angles will be too much for the New Yorker to keep up with. I think Algieri will hang in there and make it the distance, with Pacquiao pulling away in the last third of the fight to win a decisive decision by about 117-111. I won't be shocked if Pacquiao can stop him by TKO late, but I don't expect it.
Will Manny’s Stock Rise, Fall or Hold Steady?
There's almost no way this fight can send Manny Pacquiao's stock up. Prior to 2014, even a lot of serious boxing fans were oblivious to Chris Algieri. If Pacquiao blows him out inside of five rounds, people will say he was fighting a guy who didn't belong there.
If Pacquiao boxes very well and wins a decisive victory, people will just say he did what he supposed to do. If the fight is remotely close, Pacquiao is going to get skewered by some for struggling against an inexperienced and unknown fighter. In a best-case scenario, Pacquiao can hope for little more than a push.
The Moment We’ll Remember Most Is…
I'm not really sure how memorable this fight will end up being. Even if Pacquiao gets the stoppage, it's not going to rate up there with him stopping Oscar De La Hoya in his corner or knocking Ricky Hatton cold.
It's not going to rate with stopping legends such as Marco Antonio Barrera or Erik Morales. I think the most memorable thing from this fight is going to be Pacquiao interviewed in the ring when it is over, clearly not thrilled with his performance.
Who Will Pacquiao Fight Next? When and Where?
I'm still not buying in on the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight finally happening next. I won't believe that's taking place until they hold the press conference, and both men sign on the line. I think Pacquiao's next opponent is going to be another letdown, from the perspective of his biggest fans.
Bob Arum and Top Rank clearly seem interested in using him to build up their younger fighters and help keep developing Macau as a site for big fights. This will sound like it's coming out of left field, but I wouldn't be shocked if Pacquiao's next fight is against Jesse Vargas, back in Macau.
Who Will Algieri Fight Next? When and Where?
So long as he puts up a respectable effort, even a defeat for Chris Algieri on Saturday will leave him in much better position than he was when this year began. He had a gutsy comeback against one of the hottest fighters in the sport last spring, and if he can hang in tough with Manny Pacquiao, he'll be a guy fans are ready to watch again.
In a battle of the two boxers who survived Ruslan Provodnikov, I could see him facing Timothy Bradley next March in the Barclay Center.
Jeff Gross/Getty Images
Who Wins the Fight? When and How?
Algieri showed a lot of courage getting off the mat to win a decision over the fearsome Ruslan Provodnikov. The Russian was a huge favorite over the then-unknown Algieri, and overcoming those odds was pretty special.
But consider this—Provodnikov was a sparring partner for Pacquiao, not a peer. Algieri is in there to be a punching bag. He's getting stopped and early.
Pacquiao by knockout in Round 6.
Will Manny’s Stock Rise, Fall or Hold Steady?
I don't think a fight like this can do much to sway people in a positive direction. If he wins, well, he's supposed to win. No one has heard of Algieri—and for good reason? If he loses? It's a career-killer.
The Moment We’ll Remember Most Is…
At some point Pacquiao will flash that enigmatic smile of his, the one that makes practically everyone in the world such a huge admirer, and we'll all melt. It's a nice reminder that not everyone in the sport is an irredeemable jerk.
Who Will Pacquiao Fight Next? When and Where?
If it's not Floyd Mayweather Jr, and soon, I will be forced to throw one of my now-customary hissy fits. Mayweather simply can't be considered one of the all-time greats until he fights the other standard-bearer of his generation. Period.
Who Will Algieri Fight Next? When and Where?
I'd love to see him fight Ruslan Provodnikov in a rematch. Barclay's in Brooklyn had the first fight. Why not run it back there in March?
