Donaire defeats Settoul via TKO

Nonito ''The Filipino Flash'' Donaire defeats French boxer Anthony Settoul in their super bantamweight fight.

It was an easy win for Donaire via TKO, with the fight ending in just the second round.

Donaire has been hoping for a win so he could get a world title fight before the year ends. But he says, he's open to fight anyone who's ready for him.

Donaire's non-title fight will be aired on ABS-CBN Channel 2 on Sunday morning.

– ANC, The World Tonight, 18 July 2015

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Donaire demolishes Frenchman in 2 rounds

Nonito ''The Filipino Flash'' Donaire made short work of his French opponent, stopping Anthony Settoul in just two rounds of their 10-round bout at the Cotai Arena in Macau Saturday.

The former five-division champion showed up with a much improved boxing style, utilizing right straights and body shots instead of just relying on his devastating left hook.

This allowed Donaire to knock down Settoul twice in the first round and one last time during the second stanza.

In the first round, the Filipino Flash timed the Frenchman with a short stab to the liver while dodging Settoul's looping shots. The painful shot to the body forced Settoul to take a knee, while referee Danrex Tapdasan was giving him the mandatory count.

The French boxer was able to stand up but was again met with another combination capped with another left hook to the body. This led to Settoul's second knockdown.

In the third round, Donaire smashed Settoul with a right straight that decked the Frenchman. Settoul stood up on wobbly knees, forcing his corner to throw in the towel.

Tapdasan halted the fight at 1:41 of the second round.

''We did well here. Hopefully you guys enjoyed the fight,'' said Donaire while addressing the crowd at the Cotai Arena.

The Filipino Flash said he trained hard to improve his other punches so he would not rely too much on his left hook.

''We worked really hard for it. We did everything with the body shots, set up the punches and of course the counter punches,'' said Donaire.

''Not everybody's gonna look just for the left hook now. I have more than one weapon and that's everything else,'' added the beaming Filipino-American.

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."

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

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

Why Team Pacquiao sees short fight vs Algieri

Watch the latest episode of Bandila also in iWant TV or TFC

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

Roach, Buboy see easy fight for Pacquiao vs Algieri

MANILA, Philippines – Hall-of-Fame trainer Freddie Roach is anticipating a sensational performance from Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao when he faces off against American boxer Chris Algieri on November 23 at the Cotai Arena in Macau.

Pacquiao has been tabbed as the favorite to retain his WBO welterweight belt against Algieri, but the American has been the picture of confidence during the lead-up to the bout.

Algieri's height and reach are his greatest physical advantages over Pacquiao, but Roach is expecting his fighter to neutralize these fairly easily and quickly.

"When you have a reach advantage? How hard is that to take away?" said the trainer, as quoted by Boxing Scene. "If you have a boxer like Manny, that's not so difficult."

"Just because he's taller doesn't make him better. We're faster, better. We're going to take him to school," he guaranteed.

Assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez, who was in charge of the early weeks of Pacquiao's training camp, is similarly confident that his longtime friend will have no trouble against Algieri.

"Asahan niyo na uuwi tayo ng maaga," said Fernandez ahead of Team Pacquiao's flight to Macau.

"Wala naman kasi 'yung height. Hindi problema 'yung height," added Fernandez, echoing Roach's sentiments. "Kung ikaw mismo na fighter, kulang ka sa training mo, doon ka matakot. Pero kung pataasan lang ng height, hindi tayo dapat matakot."

"Walang problema 'yan kahit matangkad 'yung kalaba. Sa aking, lang tatamaan at tatamaan," he added.

Pacquiao's strength and conditioning trainer, Justine Fortune, said the "Pacman" was in fantastic shape already and the only concern now was maintaining that and not over-training.

"He's in a hundred percent shape. He's ready for the fight," said Fortune. "He's in great shape for the fight, because we'll have to chase (Algieri) all night."

Pacquiao's team is anticipating that Algieri will run from Pacquiao once he feels the Filipino boxer's power, and both Roach and Fortune have warned that if Algieri chooses to stand and trade instead, then he will kiss the canvas.

"Pacquiao will outscore him if he does run," said Roach. "But if he has any guts at all, and he wants to fight a little bit and go for the world title, I think we'll knock him out."

"If Algieri engages, he's knocked out, simple as that," said Fortune.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Stallone dubs Pacquiao's foe as 'modern day Rocky'

Algieri gets surprise visit from 'Sly'

LOS ANGELES - The iconic movie series “Rocky” follows an unknown boxer played by Sylvester Stallone who rises nowhere to the top of the boxing world, a story that Manny Pacquiao's opponent Chris Algieri is familiar with as he prepares for the fight of his life.

Since his upset win over Ruslan Providnikov, Algieri has been compared to the fictional boxing character Rocky, an underdog who went on to become a champion.

During Algieri's downtown Los Angeles press conference, the so-called "new Rocky" got a surprise visit from the original Rocky himself, Sylvester Stallone.

“It's really great to say Rocky happened in reality so I guess you’re about to see it, so ladies and gentlemen, stay tuned I think we have the birth of a new star,” said Stallone.

“That's something I've been watching since I was a kid, and to be in league or same breath as someone like that is pretty incredible,” said Algieri.

While Pacquiao holds his training camp in General Santos for their November 22nd showdown, the Long Island, New York fighter has been training in Las Vegas for the past few weeks and has gone thru six sparring partners and is ready to get a first hand look at Pacquiao's speed which many fighters have fallen victim to.

“As training camp has gone on, I feel more confident. Everything has been going great. I never know how fast or strong any guy is gonna be before I get in the ring. So you just gotta be ready for anything. I've had really good sparring, very good quick guys with us and really, it's about setting the rhythm. You can offset speed with rhythm and timing,” said Algieri.

Algieri won't be entering the ring with the title that he outboxed Provodnikov for. Last week, Algieri was asked to vacate his WBO 140-pound belt, a pre-condition to getting a shot at the Pacman's WBO welterweight belt.

“It is what it is. I'm not really gonna focus on that too much I'm gonna focus on getting the 147 belt,” he said.

Algeiri leaves for Macau next week on the November 12, giving the undefeated American, who has yet to fight outside of the East Coast, about 10 days to acclimate in a place considered to have a home field advantage for the Pacman.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao is Algieri's ticket to P4P list, bigger paydays

MANILA, Philippines – Unbeaten but relatively untested boxing champion Chris Algieri is determined to make the best of his fight against Manny Pacquiao as it could open doors to more opportunities, including bigger paydays.

A victory against Pacquiao could catapult Algieri to the top of the pound-for-pound standings and could establish him as among the boxing’s most elite fighters.

“This is the top of the sport. The winner here goes on to make the biggest fights that are possible not only to the welterweight division but in all of boxing. A win will propel me to the top of the pound-for-pound ratings and viewed as one of the best fighters in all of boxing,” Algieri told The Sweet Science.




The American is due to meet Pacquiao in the ring for the WBO welterweight crown. The fight is set to take place at the Cotai Arena in Macau on November 23 (November 22, US time).

Officially, Pacquiao is ranked No. 4 among Ring Magazine's top pound-for-pound fighters; Algieri is nowhere in the list.

Relatively unknown to casual fight fans, Algieri won the ticket to the title shot after pulling off an upset against heavy-hitting Russian boxer Ruslan Provodnikov.

Algieri said he has toiled long enough in the shadows and that his fights against Provodnikov and Pacquiao are his biggest breaks.

“At this point I want the biggest fights out there. I have spent a long time fighting off TV and outside of the public eye. Now I want exposure and I want to fight the biggest names out there in boxing,” he said.

Just like what he did against Provodnikov, Algieri said he wants to pull off another surprise this time against an eight-division champion. “I want to show that I belong here,” he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Arum sees no mismatch in Pac-Algieri tiff

MANILA, Philippines - Over the past few weeks, Bob Arum had known Chris Algieri well for him to say that people who are predicting a mismatch in Macau on Nov. 23 are wrong.

Arum said they’re terribly wrong.

“These people don’t know what they’re talking about,” Arum told The STAR as the anticipated fight between Algieri and Manny Pacquiao moved closer and closer.

The fight is scheduled in three weeks at the Cotai Arena of The Venetian Hotel in Macau. Oddsmakers have placed Algieri as the heavy underdog.

They pick Pacquiao, 2-2 in his last four fights and 56-5-2 overall, as the clear favorite at -1400, meaning you need to put $1400 on him just to win $100.

In contrast, Algieri, undefeated in 20 fights, is at +800, meaning $100 on him wins $800. The odds are a tad closer in some betting stations at -1300 and +700.

Algieri is also younger and bigger.

Arum had seen how hard Algieri is training for this fight, which comes just five months after he stunned the Russian beast, Ruslan Provodnikov.

Algieri is so used to being the underdog.

“Algieri is a very dangerous opponent as he shows fight after fight after fight and when he goes in as an underdog and pulls off a victory,” Arum told The STAR.

“You have to remember that he hasn’t lost a fight yet. He’s determined to win this fight. And he has the style that could give Manny trouble,” he added.

In fact, Arum made sure that there was a rematch clause in the fight contract but would only be in effect if Algieri wins.

“I put a rematch clause that if Algieri wins I could force a rematch. That’s if Manny is willing to do it,” he added.

“You never know boxing,” Arum said.

Read more on The Philippine Star.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

No trash talk as Pacquiao, Algieri face off in LA

LOS ANGELES –- It was a friendly face off between opponents as boxers Manny Pacquiao and Chris Algieri spoke to Los Angeles media about their upcoming welterweight showdown on November 22 at the Cotai Arena in Macau.

There was no trash talk as Pacquiao and Algieri only talked about putting on a good fight. The unbeaten American, who holds a master's degree in nutrition, even gave a bloodstone – believed to have health benefits – as a present to Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, who suffers from Parkinson's Disease.

It was a sign of gratitude for Roach's hospitality throughout the 27,000-mile press tour.

"My coach believes in the healing powers more than I do, but I believe in positive energy," said Algieri. "I believe physics is about energy. Everything is about energy for me."

"These stones, whether they affect my body or blood or whatever, but I think when I look at them, I think of a positive person who has presented them to me or made these for me," he added. "They're reminders of positivity, positive energy, and I'm a positive person."

While the 5-foot-10 Algieri towers over the 5-foot-6 Pacquiao, the New Yorker still comes in as a heavy underdog against the former pound-for-pound king.

"Another day in the office for me," Algieri said. "I've been a big underdog in my last couple of fights and many other fights in my career, so it's nothing new for me."

"I'm ready to go out there. I got the world's attention in the Ruslan (Provodnikov) fight, and I'm looking to shock the world again," he added.

Pacquiao, for his part, shrugged off Algieri's height and reach advantage.

"Hindi ako worried sa advantage niya, 'yung tangkad niya, dahil hindi lang ito ang first time na lumaban ako ng (mas) matangkad," he said. "Alam ko na ang gagawin sa taas ng ring."

The undefeated Algieri is fresh off a stunning upset, surviving two first-round knockdowns against Provodnikov and winning as 12-round decision.

Although he has only fought as a professional 20 times, Algieri has had his fair share of battles, having been a kickboxing champion while also serving as a sparring partner for the likes of Argentine brawler Marcos Maidana.

"I have been on an accelerated stage and route, but that's the way I want it," said Algieri. "I did the same thing in my kickboxing career. I won the fight for a world title in my fourth professional fight as a kickboxer."

"So here we are, it's my 21st fight. I'm already a world champion, but I want bigger and better things, and you don't get much bigger than Manny Pacquiao."

Pacquiao and Algieri left for New York shortly after their press conference for the final media stop of their 27,000-mile journey.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Rios plans to negate Pacquiao's speed

MANILA – Brandon Rios said he plans to take away Manny Pacquiao's speed which will be the Filipino’s biggest advantage when they fight on November 24.

In an interview on Hustle Boss, Rios said he’s aware that he will need to catch up with the fleet-footed Filipino once they square off at the Cotai Arena in Macau.

“The other guy is quicker than me, so all I gotta do is neutralize his speed,” said the 24-year-old Mexican-American.

To do that, Rios will be banking on his youth and stamina as he battles the fighting congressman.

He said the constant pressure will eventually break down Pacquiao.

“[I’ll beat him with] the pressure that I put on him, I throw punches in bunches, too,” said Rios.

The Mexican-American said he’s fought quicker boxers before and was able to handle them well.

One of them was Venezuelan Miguel Acosta, whom Rios halted in 10 rounds to win the WBC lightweight crown.

“That's what I did with Acosta, I neutralized his speed, he's very fast and I neutralized him,” said Rios.

He added that a victory over Pacquiao will be huge for his career. A dominant win would mean that “he has already arrived.”

“It's just my time now, and I'll be ready.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com