Pacquiao's latest win: Shellacking of highest order

To fight analysts, Manny Pacquiao proved how vastly superior he was in terms of experience, punching power and boxing prowess compared to Chris Algieri.

ESPN’s Dan Rafael described Algieri’s whipping as a “shellacking of the highest order” as the Filipino fighter sent the American tumbling to the canvass for a total of six times.

But Rafael considered Pacquiao’s failure to get a knockout win as forgivable considering the beating he dealt on Algieri.

“The 35-year-old southpaw, who is still speedy and offensive-minded, did as he pleased other than get a knockout,” the boxing pundit said in ESPN.com.

Rafael said Algieri’s much-hyped left jab looked meaningless in front of Pacquiao who unloaded a variety of attacks, including the left straight that nearly flattened out the New York fighter in the ninth round.

“It was a shellacking of the highest order as Pacquiao won his third fight in a row (second overall in Macau) since the stunning knockout loss to rival Juan Manuel Marquez in their fourth fight in December 2012,” he said.

RingTV’s Doug Fischer, for his part, admitted that he was impressed to see Pacquiao outclass younger and very athletic fighters like Algieri and Tim Bradley.

He said both fighters were undefeated and were already battle-tested before they lost to Pacquiao.

“Bradley and Algieri were athletic, undefeated beltholders (with a combined record of 51-0) who were battle-tested and in their primes when Pacquiao faced them. And at 35, after more than 60 pro bouts and almost 20 years in the game, he handled them. For the record: I’m impressed,” said Fischer.

He said he also stopped scoring the bout after seeing the American tumbling to the canvass numerous times.

“Chris maybe won one round (the fifth), maybe. I stopped scoring fight after the two knockdowns in Round 6. What was the point?” said Fischer.

He added that Pacquiao’s ring generalship showed that he is already at par with Floyd Mayweather Jr., Andre Ward and Vladimir Klitschko.

“The only difference is that Pacquiao doesn’t control a fight by holding on the inside; he does it with his footwork and angles,” he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

What Algieri has to say about loss to Pacquiao

American boxer Chris Algieri called his brutal loss to Filipino champion Manny Pacquiao a learning experience but assured fans that his confidence in his abilities and skills remain unshaken despite suffering his first defeat.

In what was the biggest fight of his career so far, Algieri came up woefully short, as he was thoroughly dominated by Pacquiao in their 12-round encounter. The American tasted the canvas six times and simply did not have the strength or speed to keep up with the "Pacman."

"This is not exactly how I expected to be up here," Algieri said in the post-fight press conference, after he lost via unanimous decision. "I expected to be 21-0 at this point."

"I'm very disappointed, but this is boxing," he added. "Manny Pacquiao is a great champion. I said prior (to the fight) that it is an honor to share a ring with him, and I still feel that way."

"The man is exactly what he's billed as – he's a great champion, he's an all-time great, he's one of the best fighters in his era."

The 30-year-old Algieri, who lost for the first time in his career, said he would take the fight's events as a "learning experience."

"I'm gonna take this as a learning experience to pursue my own career and to get better, and to have something to look forward to and reach out for," said Algieri.

Algieri believed that he was doing well in the early goings of the fight, despite having gone down twice in the second round.

"I was trying to establish the game plan. It was going well early. I wanted to slow it down in the beginning, and then look to pick it up as the fight went on," said the American.

"I felt comfortable on the way to that, but Manny's adjustments were flawless, and he's a great fighter. It's just one of those things," Algieri also said.

"It's a learning experience, and it's not gonna shake my confidence in my ability. I'm still proud of my skills, I'm just dominated with the way the fight went."

As for his future, Algieri said he will go back to the drawing board but insists that he can fight at either light-welterweight or welterweight.

"I could have made 140 (pounds) for this fight. It's not an issue of where I have to go, but that's an option – I could go in either weight class," he said.

"I can contest at either weight class, and I'll go to my team and figure out the best route for 2015," he added.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao landed 121 more punches than Algieri

Not only did Manny Pacquiao topple Chris Algieri six times, he also outworked Long Island’s favorite son by more than 120 punches.

Compubox stats showed that Pacquiao was the busier fighter during his WBO welterweight title defense against Algieri in Macau.

Pacquiao threw a total of 669 punches, of which 229 landed. Algieri, for his part, only landed 108 of his 469 punches. This means, the Filipino connected 121 more punches than his American counterpart.

Algieri is known as a volume puncher due to his boxing-counterpunching style. He averaged 87.9 punches per round in his last four bouts prior the Pacquiao fight.

During his junior welterweight clash against Ruslan Provodnikov last June, he connected 288 out of 993 punches. Nearly half of those were jabs that he used to maintain his distance against the Russian brawler.

In comparison, Provodnikov threw 776 punches and connected only 205, most of which were power punches.

But Algieri’s output noticeably went down when he went on full defensive mode against Pacquiao.

Pacquiao chased him all throughout the fight and knocked him down six times.

"I was disappointed by Algieri. All he did was run,” Pacquiao’s coach Freddie Roach said in Yahoo! Sports. “He didn't show the heart or the [expletive] he did versus Ruslan Provodnikov."

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Roach blasts Algieri for running

Freddie Roach was displeased that they saw a different Chris Algieri on Sunday.

The coach knew Algieri will try to hit and run against Manny Pacquiao just like he did against Ruslan Provodnikov, but wasn't expecting the American to run all throughout the fight.

"I was disappointed by Algieri. All he did was run. He didn't show the heart or the [expletive] he did versus Ruslan Provodnikov," Roach told Yahoo! Sports.

Nevertheless, Roach said they proved a point against the New York-based boxer, who was branded as a “master boxer” by his camp.

"The master boxer was given a master class by Professor Pacquiao," Roach said.

Pacquiao did chase Algieri, which resulted in six terrific knockdowns -- more than what Floyd Mayweather Jr. had in the past 10 years.

The eight-division boxing champion first knocked down Algieri via a three-punch combo in the second round, which was followed by two more in the sixth round. Pacquiao struck again with two knockdowns in the ninth and again in the 10th.

"Manny is the best in the world at fighting like Manny Pacquiao. That's really what it is. His style, he has so much experience. He's perfected fighting like Manny Pacquiao,” said Algieri, who suffered his first career defeat in 21 fights.

Prior the bout, Roach joked that he told his pupil not to hurt Algieri too much as it might scare away Mayweather.

“He’s scared of us now, and he’s going to be more scared of us after we destroy this guy. Mayweather, you know, show some balls and step up to the plate,” he said in ESPN.com.

He said Pacquiao wanted the Mayweather fight "so badly" he’s talking about it all the time.

“After seeing Floyd’s last couple fights, he wants him even more. He just wants to prove he’s the best fighter in the world, and he’ll take that zero and give [Floyd] his first one,” said Roach.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao ready to fight Mayweather in 2015

Filipino ring icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao sent a strong message to unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather Jr. with a superb performance against challenger Chris Algieri in their welterweight fight Sunday in Macau.

The unbeaten Algieri was game but eventually out-classed, as Pacquiao knocked him down six times and won an overwhelming unanimous decision.

"Tonight I did my best," said Pacquiao, who won with scores of 119-103, 119-103, and 120-102 to hike his record to 57 wins with five losses and two draws.

Pacquiao, of course, could not escape the Mayweather question, and he responded in humorous fashion as the "Pacman" imitated his now-famous Foot Locker commercial.

"He's going to fight me? Yes! Yes!" Pacquiao exclaimed, to the delight of his entourage inside the ring.

Turning serious, Pacquiao made it clear that he is very willing to fight the American superstar who earlier this year routed Marcos Maidana keep his professional record spotless at 47-0.

"I think I'm ready to fight next year for him," said Pacquiao. "I want that fight. The fans deserve that fight."

Pacquiao has never wavered from his stance that he is willing to fight Mayweather at any time. While the "Pacman" believes his legacy in the sport won't be tarnished should he never fight the boxer known as "Money," he also acknowledges that fight fans genuinely want to see him and Mayweather in a classic encounter.

But despite repeated negotiations, a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight has never come close to fruition.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao floors Algieri 6 times en route to easy win

Filipino legend Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao put together a truly dominant display as he demolished American challenger Chris Algieri, registering six knockdowns en route to a unanimous decision victory Sunday morning at the Cotai Arena in Macau.

Against a taller fighter with solid boxing skills, Pacquiao showed that he still had the explosiveness, punching power and speed that once made him the top pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

The "Pacman" was never seriously challenged by Algieri, shrugging off the American's sporadic punches and putting together multi-punch combinations that caused Algieri's left eye to swell and wobbled his knees.

Pacquiao clearly wanted to end a knockout drought that stretches all the way back to 2009, but Algieri managed to stay standing until the final bell. The Filipino boxer nevertheless won in overwhelming fashion, with judges scoring the bout 119-103, 119-103, and 120-102.

"Tonight, I did my best," a beaming Pacquiao said after the fight. "I am satisfied with my performance tonight. I came to fight, I did my best, and that was enough."

Pacquiao hiked his professional record to 57 wins with five losses and two draws, and has now won three consecutive fights in convincing fashion since losing back-to-back bouts to Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012.

Algieri, for his part, lost for the first time in 21 professional fights.

Six knockdowns
Pacquiao floored Algieri for the first time in the second round, although it was a contentious call as Algieri claimed he slipped.

Algieri repeatedly tried to dodge and duck Pacquiao's punches in the first four rounds, but the Filipino icon still found his mark.

"I knew he was gonna come on strong," Algieri said after the fight. "But Manny is the best in the world at fighting like Manny Pacquiao. That's really what it is."

Pacquiao wobbled Algieri in the sixth round with a huge left hand, and a flurry of punches put the American on the canvas again. Algieri beat the count but went down for the second time in the sixth round, although he once more argued that it was a slip.

Pacquiao continued to dominate the fight in the middle rounds, landing his left hand with regularity and connecting on combinations.

Algieri was more active in the ninth round, but paid for it when Pacquiao connected on a vicious left cross that sent the American tumbling to the mat once more. Algieri again beat the count, but was clearly on wobbly legs and had to hold on to Pacquiao while the Filipino was going for the kill.

Because of that, the referee called another knockdown on Algieri, and Pacquiao visibly tried to end the fight as he swarmed Algieri with punches from all angles, but the American managed to survive.

Algieri went down for the sixth time in the 10th round, but danced and dodged away from danger the rest of the way and managed to survive until the final bell.

"I was looking for a knockout, but he's fast," Pacquiao said. "He was moving, and it's hard to get careless and overconfident."

One legitimate knockdown

Algieri, however, claimed that the only "legitimate knockdown" was the one that occurred in the ninth round, when Pacquiao's left hook stunned him.

"I thought that it was my best round of the fight at that point," he said, adding that he wanted to go for a left hook of his own only to be shocked by Pacquiao's faster punch.

"That was the only shot that hurt me, but I had my legs pretty good when I got up," Algieri claimed.

Algieri's height and reach advantage, which was seen to be his biggest physical advantages entering the fight, proved to be of little use against Pacquiao who was able to solve the problem by the second round.

But Algieri said he still stuck to his game plan, which was to make it to the second half of the fight without incurring too much damage.

"We were looking to set up the pace (in the later rounds) and land shots that would hurt him… We were looking to put some damage on the guy," said Algieri.

But by the eighth round, Pacquiao was in complete control of the encounter and was simply shrugging off Algieri's punches.

Algieri said Pacquiao's fighting style was simply unique.

"He's perfected fighting like Manny Pacquiao. It's not so much the punching power, but its how he mixes the punches together. He's the best in the world at fighting like Manny Pacquiao, and it's a very, very unique style," he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Round-by-Round: Pacquiao vs Algieri

Manny Pacquiao shut out Chris Algieri via unanimous decision to retain the WBO welterweight belt at the jampacked Cotai Arena in the luxurious Venetian Macau.

Judges scored the fight 119-103, 119-103, and 120-102, all in favor of the eight-division champion.

The Filipino boxer racked his 57th career win and is now looking forward for a possible clash against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2015.

Check out how the fight panned out:

Round 1

Algieri tried to establish his jab. Pacquiao briefly cornered Algieri, but Algieri moved out of trouble. Algieri tried to stay out of range. Pacquiao gave chase. That was a feeling out round for both Pacquiao
and Algieri.

Round 2

Pacquiao landed a combination but Algieri again dodged out of trouble. Algieri now jabbing at Pacquiao. Algieri went down! Algieri beat the count, and fight continued. Pacquiao went to the body of Algieri then connected to the head. Pacquiao again went to the body, Algieri just tried to avoid the Pacman's punches. A 10-8 round for Pacquiao because of the knockdown.

Round 3

Pacquiao moved forward, landed a couple of shots. Algieri tried to be more active now. Algieri connected with a lead right, Pacquiao shook it off. Pacquiao connected to the body again, and connected on a combo.

Round 4
Algieri again jabbed, but Pacquiao blocked his blows with his gloves. Pacman again going to the body of Algieri. Pacquiao put his punches
together very well, connected several times on Algieri. He landed a huge uppercut. Pacquiao with three punches using his left hand. Algieri tried to stay away but Pacquiao continued to connect.

Round 5

Algieri jabbed with his left, trying to set up the right hand. Pacquiao missed with a hook. Algieri warned to keep them up. Algeri missed with a right and Pacquiao was keeping the pressure on him. Good exchange by both fighters. Algieri's movement was making Pacquiao miss but Algieri wasn't landing much either. Pacquiao was more active.

Round 6

Algieri again tried to establish his jab to set-up his right. Pacquiao gave chase and lands a couple. Algieri again warned for low blows. That's his second warning. Algieri went down again! Pacquiao clearly hurt Algieri there. Algieri again down for the second time in the round! Algieri argued it was a slip but referee gave him a count. Algieri just trying to move out of danger now. Two knockdowns for Pacquiao in the sixth round.

Round 7

Algieri looked to be more active, tried to go to the body of Pacquiao. Pacquiao backed Algieri on the ropes, landed a left hand. He landed
another left straight in the middle of the ring. Pacquiao with a combination to the head. Algieri missed, then Pacquiao lands another combination. Algieri looked like he's wobbling, but he landed to the body of Pacquiao.

Round 8

Pacquiao with a combination, Algieri missed a hook. Algieri pumped the left jab. Algieri with a short right hand, Pacquiao countered with a combination. Pacquiao just shrugged off Algieri's punches. Algieri more active in this round but Pacquiao still out-landed him.

Round 9
Pacquiao targetted the head, got a left hand through and connected. Algieri tried a hook but Pacquiao blocked it with his glove. Algieri down again! Algieri held on, the referee called another knockdown. Pacquiao went for the kill. Algieri fought back and survived the round.

Round 10

Pacquiao simply looked more explosive than Algieri. The American looked wobbly early in the 10th. Pacquiao wth another straight and Algieri wobbled again. Algieri clearly felt Pacquiao's punches. He wasn't throwing anything, and Pacquiao gave chase. Algieri went down again! Algieri has been down six times in this fight.

Round 11

Algieri again became active, but Pacquiao kept moving forward. Pacquiao landed to the head of Algieri again. Algieri with a right that glanced off Pacquiao's glove. Algieri clinched. Pacquiao made Algieri miss and then caught him with a right.

Round 12
Algieri's trainer tried to encourage him. Algieri with a body shot. Pacquiao with a left hand. Pacquiao with another left to the head. Pacquiao was not slowing down, still looked for the knockout. Algieri however was moving well. Fight ended. Pacquiao knocked down Algieri six times but the American survived.

Judges scored the fight 119-103, 119-103, and 120-102 for Pacquiao, who retained his WBO welterweight title.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Algieri claims only one knockdown was legitimate

American boxer Chris Algieri tasted the canvas six times as he found himself thoroughly out-classed by Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao in their welterweight title fight at the Cotai Arena in Macau on Sunday.

In what was the biggest fight of his career, Algieri came up woefully short, as he was never able to even trouble Pacquiao. The "Pacman" won a wide decision, with scores of 119-103, 119-103, and 120-102.

Yet Algieri cut a defiant picture at the end of the fight, claiming only one of Pacquiao's six knockdowns was legitimate.

"The only one that was a legitimate knockdown was when we traded left hooks (in the ninth round) and I went down," Algieri said in a post-fight interview. "That was the only shot that really hurt me."

"I thought it was my best round of the fight at that point, and I sat down on a left hook," he added.

But Pacquiao, whose hand-speed and punching power were evident all throughout, was much faster and unleashed a left cross of his own that sent Algieri tumbling to the canvas.

"That was the only shot that hurt me," Algieri claimed. "I had my legs pretty good when I got up."

Algieri, however, was knocked down again shortly after as Pacquiao tried to go for the kill and landed a flurry of punches. The American, however, managed to remain standing until the final bell, and denied Pacquiao what would have been his first knockout win since 2009.

Pacquiao said he tried to go for the knockout although he also tried to be more careful and avoid making a misstep -- the way he did against Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez in December 2012 when he was memorably knocked out with a second to go in the sixth round.

Algieri, however, believes that it was his own punching power that caused Pacquiao to hold back.

"I've hurt every fight I've fought," he said. "I think I caught him with a few shots that made him think. In the last round, I know his corner was imploring him to turn it on and he was throwing bombs… (But) I think I caught him with a few counter shots on the way in."

Algieri did give Pacquiao credit, saying the Filipino was "the best in the world at fighting like Manny Pacquiao."

"His start and stop is great, and he has perfected fighting like Manny Pacquiao," said the American.

"It's not so much the punching power. It's how he mixes the punches. Like I said, he's the best in the world at fighting like Manny Pacquiao, and it's a very, very unique style," said Algieri, who also called the Filipino champ a "hell of a fighter."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao sees tough fight vs Algieri: Arum

MANILA, Philippines – Contrary to what most analysts believe, Manny Pacquiao won't be able to beat Chris Algieri that easy, according to boxing promoter Bob Arum.

The Top Rank Inc. executive said even Pacquiao himself knows it will be a challenge to face the taller, younger and hungry American boxer.

“Anybody who thinks that Manny Pacquiao is gonna have a cakewalk with Algieri has another thing coming,” Arum said in an interview on DZMM’s “Teka Muna.”

“Because the guy who has taken Algieri the most seriously is Manny Pacquiao.”

Arum said aside from Algieri’s physical advantages against the smaller Pacquiao, the American fighter has a fighting style that poses problems to the eight-division champion.

The 5'10'' tall Algieri possesses a longer reach and this complements his counter-punching strategy. This has worked well for the New York-based fighter, allowing him to win 20 fights in a row.

“Algieri is a terrific fighter, he's great conditioned, he has a marvelous jab. He's extraordinary intelligent in the ring,” said Arum.

“Manny realized that Algieri presents major problems and he schooled himself to meet those problems.”

This is why Pacquiao immersed himself into perhaps the best training camp he had in years, he said.

“He's worked hard. He's focused. He's put in more time. Sparring partners are better in this camp than have been in many few years,” said Arum.

The Provodnikov upset

The Long Island native won the Pacquiao sweepstakes when he unexpectedly gutted out a split decision upset against fancied Russian brawler Ruslan Provodnikov last June.

Arum said Algieri ruined their plans of staging a showdown between Provodnikov and Pacquiao because of his win.

“He upset Provodnikov and made it shift our plans to fight Algieri. That was an unbelievable, gutty ‘Rocky-like’ performance. He's knocked down in the first round, his eyes were closed, he came back and outboxed Provodnikov and won the fight. This is a real tough kid,” said Arum.

The Pacquiao-Algieri WBO welterweight title fight will take place at the Cotai Arena in the luxurious Venetian Macau.

Arum said tickets have already been sold out since a lot of Filipinos and several high rollers from the US flew in to watch the fight live.

The card is also expected to draw 300 million viewers in China, he said.

“The fight will be broadcast on Sunday morning on Chinese national television networks, 9 regional networks and 2 internet portals. So they're looking at an audience as large as 300 million viewers. Tremendous buzz in China not only for Manny but also for their superstar Zou Shiming,” he said.

Interestingly, Shiming will be figuring in a flyweight title eliminator against Thailand’s Kwanpichit Onesongchaigym, who looked like a “carbon copy” of Pacquiao.

The bout is also well-covered by the US press, which has shown interest in Algieri’s story.

“We have a marvelous tour out from the US, Chris is a New York boy from Long Island and every single New York paper is here in Macau so the coverage from all over the US, the LA Times, Reuters, I mean it's almost like the Filipinos’ coverage for Manny Pacquiao,” said Arum.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Analysts weigh in on Pacquiao-Algieri bout

MANILA, Philippines – Kill the body and the head will fall.

Fight analysts believe that this will be Manny Pacquiao’s strategy when he clashes with a taller Chris Algieri on Sunday.

There is so much talk about Algieri and Pacquiao's height difference, but boxing commentator Ronnie Nathanielsz doesn’t think the American’s reach is an advantage.

“I saw his fight with Emmanuel Taylor and Jose Peralta,” Nathanielsz said on DZMM’s “Fast Break” of the 5’10” Algieri. “The moment Peralta pushed him on the ropes and worked on the body, nahihirapan na siya.”

“Pacquiao will do the same thing. To me, he will get under the jab and work the body. Tapos na ang boxing.”

Height may be an advantage in some sports, but it’s different in boxing, according to the veteran fight analyst.

“Iyung sinasabi nilang height advantage, ang sabi ko sa kanila, 'This is not basketball, this is boxing.'''

For his part, sports analyst Ed Tolentino said experience will play a major factor in the WBO welterweight fight.

Algieri was not beaten in all his 20 fights, most of which took place in his home town in New York.

Pacquiao, on the other hand, had been into 63 fights, winning in 56 of them and losing in 5.

“If you look at the record of Pacquiao in his last few fights, it is either against reigning or former world champions. The last time he fought a contender was against Jorge Solis in 2007,” said Tolentino.

“This is the first time after 14 fights na he's taking on a medyo lesser opponent, pero champion. Pero kung ikumpara naman natin kay [Juan Manuel] Marquez, [Miguel] Cotto, Shane Mosley, mukhang malayo [si Algieri] eh.''

Algieri's biggest payday

If there’s one thing that makes Algieri intriguing to fight fans, it’s his life story.

“’Yung kanyang determination is deeply rooted sa background niya,” said Tolentino.

“This is a guy who live with his mother and father and trains at the basement of the family home, who rides a 2005 Honda accord ng 190,000+ miles na ang natakbo. This guy, to earn extra money, nagta-trabaho bilang conditioning coach ng ilang mga executive. Ganun ang kanyang pinanggalingan.”

Algieri will be getting the biggest payday of his career with a guaranteed $1 million against Pacquiao. His highest pay before that was $100,000 against Ruslan Provodnikov.

“Before that it was only $15,000,” Tolentino said. “Sabi nga nila he’s the real-life Rocky.”

Algieri got the chance to fight Pacquiao when he survived two first-round knockdowns to complete a split decision win against a heavy handed Provodnikov last June.

That victory gave the New Yorker the WBO junior welterweight crown.

In an interview, Pacquiao said Algieri's resilience is what helped him win the Provodnikov fight.


"I watched his fight with Ruslan, he's tough there. He deserved this fight," said the eight-division champion who was interviewed together with Algieri on ESPN.

Algieri said he is happy to be given the chance to square off with one of the world biggest boxing superstars, describing it as a once in a lifetime experience.

"This is the opportunity of a lifetime, every young fighter dream of being a world champion. I did that the last time when I beat Ruslan Provodnikov, now I get to fight the best of the world," he said.

The fight will take place at an expected jam-packed Cotai Arena in The Venetian Macau.

China's Zou Shiming and Kwanpichit Onesongchaigym, Vasyl Lomachenko and Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo, and Jessie Vargas and Antonio DeMarco will face each other in the undercard fights.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao relaxed as Algieri has weighty problem

MACAU - Manny Pacquiao weighed in at 143.8lb Saturday for his welterweight world title defence, but his opponent Chris Algieri had trouble on the scales ahead of Sunday's fight.

Undefeated American Algieri could not make the catchweight limit of 144lb and was still 0.20lb over after a second attempt despite stripping down to his bare essentials at the Saturday morning weigh-in (Friday night in the US) at the Venetian Macau's Cotai Arena.

Algieri (20-0, 8 KOs) was given two hours to sweat off the remaining weight and came back for a third attempt which saw him finally go under at 143.6lb.

Despite the hiccup, which would have thrown Algieri's final preparations for Sunday's fight slightly behind schedule, the former kickboxer from Long Island predicted he would win.

"I did all the hard work I needed to do," said Algieri. "I know I can count on my skills to do it. This is dream come true and I'm ready to rock."

Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 KOs) has been relaxed and confident all week in Macau. The Filipino eight-weight world champion has been impressing all who have watched him train with the intensity and power he has shown in his workouts.

"I've been preparing like the early days in my career," said Pacquiao at the weigh-in. "I want to get back the hungriness and the aggressiveness that I had when I was young."

Earlier this week Pacquiao had said he enjoyed fighting unbeaten boxers, such as Algieri, because he liked to teach them what it is like to lose. But on Saturday the Sarangani province congressman was more diplomatic.

"I like to fight undefeated fighters like Algieri because it's an honour to be in a fight like that," Pacquiao said.

Before Pacquiao and Algieri square off for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title at around noon local time (0400GMT) Chinese double Olympic gold medallist flyweight Zou Shiming (5-0, 1 KO) will take on Thailand's Kwanpichit Onesongchaigym (27-0, 12 KOs) in a 12-round final eliminator for a world title shot.

Kwanpichit, an uncanny Pacquiao look-alike dubbed 'mini-Manny' by the media, and Zou both weighed in right on the 112lb flyweight limit.

There are two other world title contests on the undercard.

WBO featherweight champion and double Olympic gold medallist Vasyl Lomachenko (2-1, 1 KO) defends his title against Thailand's Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo (52-1, 33 KOs) with both exactly on the 126lb limit.

World Boxing Association super lightweight champion Jessie Vargas from Las Vegas (25-0, 9 KOs) weighed in on the 140lb limit for his defence against Mexico's Antonio DeMarco (31-3-1, 23 KOs) who was a little lighter at 139.3lb.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Where to watch the Pacquiao-Algieri match

MANILA – Fans of Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao can watch their idol's highly-anticipated bout against American boxer Chris Algieri for free in Manila and Taguig on Sunday.

In Manila, there will be a free screening in eight areas:

- San Andres Sports Complex;
- Sen. Arturo Tolentino Sports Complex;
- Rizal Covered Court;
- RASAC Sports Complex;
- Patricia Covered Court;
- Dapitan Sports Complex;
- Delpan Sports Complex; and
- Tondo Sports Complex.

Local officials have distributed tickets for fans who will watch the match in Manila.

Meanwhile, in Taguig City, boxing fans can go to five designated areas to watch the match for free.

- Cayetano Sports Complex, Bagumbayan;
- Tipas Elementary School, Palingon-Tipas;
- Taguig City University Auditorium;
- Enlisted Men's Signal Village Elementary School; and
- Bagong Lipunan Condominum (BLC) Covered Court, Western Bicutan.

These are open to the public. Gates open at 7 a.m. -- Report from Johnson Manabat, dzMM

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why Team Pacquiao sees short fight vs Algieri

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MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao's co-trainer Buboy Fernandez believes Chris Algieri won't be able to go the distance against the eight-division world champion from the Philippines.

Fernandez said that if things go as planned, the fight won’t go past four rounds.

“For me mahaba na siguro ang apat o tatlo,” Pacquiao’s best friend told ABS-CBN’s Dyan Castillejo.

Fernandez, however, said that they expect the New York-based fighter to come in prepared as the fight serves as his biggest break in his relatively young professional career.

“Kasi alam nagtraining ng todo-todo dahil alam nyang hindi biro ang makakalaban niya mas ekperiensyado sa kanya,” he said.

Fernandez was also irked by the predictions made by Algieri’s coaches, who claimed that they will pull off an upset against the Filipino boxer.

“Hindi ko lang nagustuhan yung sinabi ng trainer n’ya na sila ang magiging champion sa Linggo,” he said.

“Patunayan nila, basta kami, itutumba namin kayo.”

Meanwhile, fight analysts said that the bout will be an intriguing match-up because of the fighting styles of Pacquiao and Algieri.

Former pound-for-pound boxing champion Roy Jones Jr. said the title clash makes for a very intriguing pairing

“In this fight, we got a boxer-puncher versus a boxer-mover. They're tough intriguing match-up,” he said.

For his part, ESPN.com’s Kieran Mulvaney, said the pressure is on Pacquiao to deliver because he is expected to dominate a relative rookie in Algieri.

“Manny Pacquiao has to show that he's in a completely different class than Chris Algieri and I don't think he can afford to just scrape past him with a decision. He needs to win in a spectacular fashion and try to get him out of there,” he said.

Pacquiao’s mother, Mommy Dionisia, who will watch the fight live with her boyfriend, said she prays for a clean fight.

“Basta ang laro malinis lang. Ipagdasal mo lang na sana walang mangyari[ng masama] sa fight nila sa loob ng ring,” said Mommy D. -- From a report by Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

'Pacman' Pacquiao expected to gobble up Algieri

MANILA - A rejuvenated Manny Pacquiao will look to make short work of Chris Algieri Sunday to defend his World Boxing Organisation welterweight belt and raise his chances of a showdown with Floyd Mayweather.

Few believe the eight-weight world champion, oozing confidence and surrounded by a 300-plus entourage in Macau, will be seriously troubled by Algieri.

"Algieri will be overwhelmed by Manny's speed straight away," predicted Pacquiao's Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach on Friday. "Manny deep down really wants to win by a knockout."

His 30-year-old American opponent (20-0) is a capable and likeable former kickboxer from Long Island with a master's degree and an ambition to be a doctor.

In June, he got up from the canvas twice in the first round to shock Russia's formidable light welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov and take the WBO belt on a split decision.

Now he says he wants to pull off an almighty upset and end the fabled career of the 36-year-old Filipino icon and congressman from Sarangani province.

"Manny's going to be put to sleep, go home and then retire," Algieri's trainer Tim Lane told reporters Friday.

The last man to make such a bold prediction was another American, Brandon Rios, at the same venue a year ago. Rios was then destroyed by a masterclass in boxing, speed, agility and power from "Pacman".

Pacquiao, who once described Algieri as just an "okay" fighter, remains dismissive of his challenge.

"I know my opponent is excited to win, but I won't let that happen," he said at the Venetian Macau venue.

"He's got a good jab, a good left hand," said Roach of Algieri. "But once we take that away he'll be lost. Manny's been exploding on me with the counter-punch. He's punching really hard."

Pacquiao, whose record stands 56-5-2 with 38 KOs, had a mixed build-up in which he made his professional basketball debut in the Philippines league last month.

But he says his intense training camp has helped him regain the aggression and power that put away world-class adversaries such as Oscar de La Hoya, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricky Hatton and Shane Mosley in his younger days.

'Money' Mayweather

"Manny wanted to go back to the old workouts with more heavy bags, more strength, less mitts," said Roach. "He's punching a lot harder I feel and his punch rate has gone up."

Only by stopping Algieri will Pacquiao prove the fearsome "fighter of the decade" in the 2000s is back, two weeks before his 36th birthday.

If he does then a potential $1 billion megafight with Floyd "Money" Mayweather may become closer to reality next year.

Pacquiao and Algieri will fight for the WBO welterweight (147lb) title at a catchweight limit of 144lb.

A host of celebrities will be ringside as promoter Bob Arum aims to show Saturday night pay-per-view audiences in the United States that Chinese territory Macau is growing to rival Las Vegas as a fight venue.

Hollywood superstars Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger have already confirmed they will be there. On the undercard they will see another screen star.

Chinese double Olympic gold medalist flyweight Zou Shiming (5-0, 1 KO) had a cameo role in the recent "Transformers 4" blockbuster movie and he will take on Thailand's Kwanpichit Onesongchaigym (27-0, 12 KOs) in a final eliminator for a world title shot.

Kwanpichit is an uncanny Pacquiao look-alike -- dubbed 'mini-Manny' by the media -- and Zou will be hoping that the similarity applies only to the Thai's looks and not his punching power.

Two other world title fights complete the pay-per-view card.

WBO featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko (2-1, 1 KO) and WBA super lightweight champion Jessie Vargas (25-0, 9 KOs) will defend their titles against Thailand's Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo (52-1, 33 KOs) and Mexico's Antonio DeMarco (31-3-1, 23 KOs) respectively.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Mayweather doubtful, Garcia next for Pacman - Roach

Trainer Freddie Roach played down hopes of a Manny Pacquiao showdown with Floyd Mayweather and said unbeaten two-belt world champion Danny Garcia could be next for "Pacman" after he fights Chris Algieri on Sunday.

The drop to light welterweight (140lb) would be a further blow to prospects of a $1 billion megafight with the unbeaten Mayweather, whose last three contests have been at light middleweight (154lb).

Roach instead is targeting the impressive Garcia (29-0, 17 KOs) who holds both the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association belts at light welterweight.

"I've been waiting three-and-a-half years for this (Mayweather) fight. I don't think it's going to happen," Roach told reporters on Friday at the Venetian Macau.

"(Promoter Bob) Arum says it might happen but can they deliver Mayweather? I don't think so," added the Hall of Fame trainer, who has guided "Pacman" since 2002.

"You know, if it was going to happen I think it would have happened by now. I want it to happen as badly as you guys."

Pacquiao defends his World Boxing Organization welterweight (147lb) crown on Sunday morning (Saturday night US time) against American Algieri at an agreed catchweight limit of 144lb.

"If Manny feels good in this fight at 144 then I think his next fight will be at 140 because he makes 140 very easily," said Roach.

"First fight back? Danny Garcia. That's my personal opinion."

The fear is that Sunday's clash with the largely unknown WBO light welterweight champion Algieri will not attract the lucrative pay-per-view figures in the United States of previous Pacquiao contests.

There is a dearth of truly world-class opponents in the 147lb division, making the explosive Garcia -- who has recorded fourth-round knockouts against both Britain's former world champion Amir Khan and Mexican great Erik Morales -- the most attractive alternative to the elusive Mayweather.

"Danny Garcia at 140, we'll go there," added Roach. "There are options out there. Mayweather's not everything.

"I think Manny's a better fighter at 140. He's faster and more explosive -- I think the knockouts will come back."

Roach hinted that Pacquiao could drop further, maybe back to lightweight (135lb) if the right opportunity came up.

"Yes he could make 135. He's been in the 130s a couple of times during training camp already," Roach revealed.

"When he gets a little too low in weight I send him home and tell him to have a good steak."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao to sell Forbes Park mansion for P708-M - report

MANILA, Philippines – Even as he prepares for his upcoming title clash against Chris Algieri, word is spreading about Manny Pacquiao putting up his Forbes Park mansion for sale.

The Philippine Star columnist Babe Romualdez said that the eight-division champion, who has been hounded by his P3 billion-tax liability case, is selling the 1,500-square meter property for P708 million.

“One of our real estate informants told Spy Bits that Sarangani Congressman Manny Pacquiao is about to sell his house located at Cambridge Circle in Forbes Park for P708 million,” Romualdez said in his column Spybits.

Pacquiao bought the mansion for P388 million back in 2011 while he was still the world's pound-for-pound champion.

Pacquiao is set to earn a guaranteed $25 million (roughly P1.1 billion) in his WBO welterweight title defense against Algieri in Macau this weekend.

The fighting congressman, who also recently dabbled in professional basketball, is locked in a legal battle with the BIR and the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) over his tax liability.

The bureau is going after Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee for allegedly failing to settle his tax deficiencies with the government, which have ballooned to over P3 billion.

Pacquiao sought the help of the CTA, but the court has asked the boxer to cough up a cash bond of P3.2 billion or a P4 billion surety bond.

He went to the Supreme Court, which issued a temporary restraining order on the tax case.

Malacanang, meanwhile, wished Pacquiao all the best in his Macau fight.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said the whole country is hoping for their hero's victory on Sunday.

"Nawa'y pagpalain siya ng Panginoon na magkaroon ng sapat na lakas at gilas upang maipagwagi ang laban niya at magdulot ng ibayong karangalan sa bansang Pilipinas!" he said in a statement.

"We are confident that the Pacman will bear the flag proudly again this time," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said for her part.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Will Pacquiao go for KO vs. Algieri?

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing analyst Al Mendoza believes Filipino champion Manny Pacquiao will try to knock out American challenger Chris Algieri after he won his last two fights in solid, but not spectacular, fashion.

Talking to radio DZMM Thursday, Mendoza said Pacquiao will likely be fired up to go for a stoppage win this time as he has not won by knockout since 2009.

"Sinasabi natin na ang pamagat ng laban ay 'Hungry for Glory.' Gutom na gutom ng glorya at karangalan si Algieri, dahil pag nga naman na-disgrasya niya si Manny Pacquiao, superstar siya bigla," said Mendoza.

"Pero ang sa akin, mas malalim ang gloryang gustong makamit ni Pacquiao dito," he added.

Mendoza noted that in his past four fights, Pacquiao has a 2-2 win-loss record, having lost to Timothy Bradley and to Juan Manuel Marquez.

He bounced back with a unanimous decision win over Brandon Rios, then avenged his loss to Bradley. But Mendoza noted that Pacquiao did not display his fearsome form in both of those matches.

"'Yung mga panalo na 'yun, sa puntos lang eh," he pointed out. "Hindi Pacquiao 'yun. Hindi Pacquiao na kilalang-kilala natin na mabagsik, na pinapatulog ang kalaban. Sa huling limang taon ay wala siyang knockout."

Pacquiao's last knockout came against Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto, whom he stopped in the 12th round.

Since then, however, he has won his fights via the judges' scorecards, the latest of which was a wide unanimous decision victory over Bradley in April.

Because of this, Mendoza believes Pacquiao will try his hardest to knockout Algieri, who has not been beaten in his professional career.

"Gutom na gutom na din siya sa glorya, dahil dito sa panglimang laban niya, kinakailangan manalo siya, at hindi lang panalo by puntos, kundi dapat by knockout," said the analyst.

Moreover, Mendoza believes a spectacular victory for Pacquiao will help him secure a fight against American superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr.

"Sa tingin ko, ang laban na ito kay Algieri ay gagamitin niya na tune-up para kay Mayweather sa isang taon," Mendoza said. "Kung tune-up fight ay kailangan matindi ang resulta, at ang matinding resulta ay panalo by knockout ni Manny Pacquiao."

But Mendoza also warned that Pacquiao should be careful, considering how he was brutally knocked out by Marquez when they fought in 2012 while the "Pacman" was also going for the kill.

"Sana lang, huwag siyang manggigil at magmadali muli, kagaya ng nangyari kay Marquez," said Mendoza. "(Sana) mapatulog niya ng magandang pagpapatulog si Algieri."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Spotify creates mixtape for Pacquiao

MANILA - Spotify Philippines is wishing Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao the best of luck in his upcoming fight against unbeaten American boxer Chris Algieri.

On Thursday, the local arm of the international music streaming service created a 17-song playlist called "Good Luck Manny!"

It spelled out the following message with song titles: "Hey, good luck Pac Man. We wish you all the best. We know it will be one amazing fight and again you will make all of us proud."

Pacquiao is currently in Macau preparing and promoting the fight, accompanied by an entourage of at least 350 people. He remains a heavy favorite against Algieri, with one Filipino analyst calling the bout a "mismatch."

Spotify recently came under fire for criticizing singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for not making her latest album available immediately on the streaming service.

Swift has since pulled most of her catalog from Spotify, prompting the service to create a similar mixtape spelling out: "Hey Taylor, we wanted to play your amazing love songs and they’re not here right now. We want you back with us and so do, do, do your fans."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao open to fight Amir Khan in UK

MANILA, Philippines – It looks like British fighter Amir Khan will get his dream fight soon.

Manny Pacquiao, the eight division champion from the Philippines, is willing to fight his former training partner.

Pacquiao, who is set to square off against Chris Algieri this weekend, even said he is open to the possibility of facing Khan in Britain.

“A fight with Amir would be an exciting fight. I can fight him anywhere, even in England,” the Filipino fighter was quoted as saying by the UK paper Telegraph.

“I don't know how much longer I will fight. I’d like to retire in the next few years, so for now I am willing to face anybody,” he added.

Khan has been actively pursuing a bout against Pacquiao and American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. However, the undefeated American has been elusive in fighting either Pacquiao or Khan.

The Briton thinks the Filipino champion will be a tougher challenge compared to Mayweather.

“Mayweather would be a very technical fight, like a game of chess,” Khan said in a previous interview. “But I think Manny would be harder. He’s much more aggressive and it would be more intense.”

Khan has already experienced fighting Pacquiao as they used to spar back when they were both training under Freddie Roach.

“Me and Manny sparred a lot, and I often went with him to the Philippines, so it would make a great fight,” he said.

Khan, however, broke ties with Roach in 2012 in search for a new coach. He claims to have improved a lot under defense specialist Virgil Hunter.

“With my trainer Virgil Hunter, I’m a much better and more defensive fighter,” he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Algieri hopes Pacquiao fight is start of his legacy

American boxer Chris Algieri believes the time has come for his to step into the spotlight and become a star in the sport. But it all hinges on his performance against Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao on November 23.

"I'm a student of the sport, I'm a fan of the sport," said Algieri, who will challenge the "Pacman" for the WBO welterweight belt at the Cotai Arena in Macau. "I've been watching for years, and I've seen how other fighters careers have come from nothing and exploded."

"That's just kind of the nature of the game. You come out of nowhere, and boom. Look at Manny Pacquiao – he came out of nowhere, came to America, and had a breakout fight, and now, he's one of the best fighters that ever lived."

"He is literally a living legend. That's just how the sport works. So I'm hoping that this is the beginning of my legacy."

Algieri earned a shot at Pacquiao after beating Russia's Ruslan Provodnikov in a light-welterweight title fight last June, and he has been the underdog ever since the fight was announced.

Yet the tag has never fazed Algieri, who has been the picture of confidence all throughout the lead-up to the match, and has never wavered in his belief that he can beat the "Pacman."

"This is the way I feel," Algieri said when asked if he was simply trying to psych himself up, or if he was sincerely confident. "I know when I look in the mirror and I look myself in the eyes, that I've done all the hard work."

"I don't cut corners. I know that. So I have that belief in myself that I am ready," he stressed.

Algieri said he has prepared very well for the fight, and has spent training camp perfecting a strategy.

"We gotta go out there and do what we've been doing," said Algieri, who also acknowledged that Pacquiao has been "preparing very well" for the showdown as well.

"He's incredibly experienced, he's one of the best fighters that ever lived," said the American. "It's a tall task for myself, and my team, but we feel like we're ready."

"We've done everything necessary, (taken) all the proper steps leading up to this. I have the talent and the skills, and we just gotta go up there and perform," he said.

Algieri guaranteed that he was in his best condition of his career and is 100% ready for fight night.

"I'm still learning," he said. "But we're getting closer to matching my potential, and I think we'll do some great things on Saturday night." -- From a report by Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com