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

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

Pacquiao dubs Algieri 'most dangerous' foe yet

MANILA, Philippines – Unbeaten American boxer Chris Algieri may wind up being the most dangerous opponent of Manny Pacquiao's career, the Filipino ring icon admitted.

Algieri is an underdog against the "Pacman" in their WBO welterweight title fight on November 23, but Pacquiao refused to dismiss the American and even branded him as a difficult opponent in a recent interview that was posted on Boxing Scene.

"Chris Algieri poses many puzzles for me to solve. In terms of his height and reach, only Antonio Margarito surpasses him in the scope of opponents I have faced," Pacquiao said.

"Algieri is also the most scientific, fluid, and fittest fighter I have ever opposed. All of those factors, plus he is five years younger than me, make him the most dangerous opponent of my career," he added.

Algieri will have a huge height and reach advantage over Pacquiao in their title fight, something that the Filipino acknowledged will be a problem.

"Algeri's reach and height will require me to work on closing the distance with him in the ring, and I will need my speed more than ever to be able to score damaging blows to him, while avoiding his own counters," Pacquiao noted.

The "Pacman" also said it will be vital for him to force Algieri to fight his fight.

"I do not intend to fight Algieri's fight. I intend on fighting my fight, and more importantly making him fight my fight. This will be a battle of wills as much as it will be a battle of blows," he predicted.

Pacquiao said he was impressed with Algieri's recent performances, including his unanimous decision win against his sparring partner, Ruslan Provodnikov.

"If you look at his recent fights, each victory for him was considered an upset. Yet Algieri never considered himself an underdog, he went into each fight confident and with the right game plan," Pacquiao said.

"No matter what happened in the ring, he was disciplined enough to stay with that game plan. And it worked. He out-fought them and out-thought them," he added.

With this in mind, Pacquiao said he is hard at work in training camp in order to give him the tools to beat Algieri.

"I am sacrificing everything to defeat him and produce not just a convincing victory, but my most impressive performance," he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao: Roach thinks I play better hoops than Floyd

MANILA – Boxing promoter Bob Arum wasn’t pleased after learning that Manny Pacquiao played during KIA Sorento’s PBA debut against Blackwater Elite despite having an upcoming fight on November 22.

He said that a single misstep inside the court could have jeopardized the pay-per-view event. If the fight doesn't happen, it will mean losses for those who have invested in the fight.

“Well, I found out that he was playing before he played and I was not a very happy camper. Professional basketball, no matter the country where it is played, is a rugged sport and a player can turn an ankle very, very easily. These players in the NBA are fantastic physical specimens and yet they get injured all the time. An injury would have really wreaked havoc on the fight so I was not very pleased,” Arum said in the media conference call promoting Pacquiao’s fight against Chris Algieri.

The conference call held in General Santos City on Thursday was attended by Pacquiao, his coach Freddie Roach, and Arum.

But Arum said he was assured by Team Pacquiao it would be his last game before taking on the 5’10” Algieri.

“Manny has assured Freddie and Freddie has assured me that that’s it. After he does the fight on November 22nd, if he wants to try out for the New York Knicks, that’s OK with me,” he said.

Pacquiao, for his part, reasoned out that playing hoops does not have a negative impact on his training at all.

He said basketball serves as his cross training and therefore helps him improve his conditioning and footwork for the fight.

“It does not affect my training because basketball is on Sunday and we do not train on Sunday. Basketball is also good for footwork and balancing. It helps a lot and that is why I am always in shape when I don’t have a fight because I am always playing basketball,” said the fighting congressman, who is now also a basketball playing coach.

“Basketball provides me with great cross-training.”

Arum admitted that he could not stop the boxing star from playing basketball. He, however, said he trusts Pacquiao will stick to his promise to stay away from hoops until fight night.

“Some of our fighters are motorcycle guys and did a lot of crazy things so there we definitely put it in the contract. But with Manny, you are absolutely right. We have a different kind of relationship, one built on a mutual respect and mutual trust and so we wouldn’t put it in the contract because of the fact we feel he will do the right thing,” he said.

Just like Pacquiao, his rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. plays basketball, too. He was even quoted that he could have made it to the NBA if he took the game seriously.

When asked who’s the better ball player, Pacquiao said he trusts Roach’s appraisal.

“I don’t want to say myself,” he said while laughing. “But Freddie said [It’s] me.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Algieri to Pacquiao: Please don't get hurt

MANILA, Philippines – Undefeated American boxer Chris Algieri asked his November 23 opponent, Filipino champion Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, to take care of himself while playing basketball with the KIA Sorento.

Algieri was at ringside for the Nicholas Walters-Nonito Donaire showdown in Carson, California on Sunday, hours before Pacquiao made his debut in the Philippine Basketball Association at the Philippine Arena.

"To Manny, please don't get hurt playing basketball," Algieri said when asked to send a message to the "Pacman."

Algieri will challenge Pacquiao for the World Boxing Organization welterweight belt on November 23 at the Cotai Arena in Macau.

Pacquiao took a day off from his training camp to play in the opening game of the PBA All-Filipino Cup. He was scoreless in a little under seven minutes of action, but his team won, 80-66, after trailing at halftime.

"I want the fight to happen, so I hope, no injuries," Algieri said. "But I hope training goes well, and best of luck (to Manny)."

Algieri and Pacquiao were cordial in their press tour last month, and the American has refrained from any trash-talk in the build up to the fight.

Nevertheless, Algieri has repeatedly expressed confidence that he can stun Pacquiao on fight night even as he is a huge underdog in their bout.

"I have to dominate," he told Boxing Scene in an interview after the Walters-Donaire fight. "Either we dominate or win a decision, or dominate and score a knockout."

"I have to go out there and have the mindset of winning every single round," he said. -- From a report by Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Roach to bring Algieri-like sparmates for Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing coach Freddie Roach will be arriving in the Philippines on Wednesday to prepare Manny Pacquiao for his title defense against tall undefeated boxer Chris Algieri in November.

Roach will be bringing along two tall fighters who are in the mold of Algieri, according to Ronnie Nathanielsz in a report on Philboxing.

Stan “The Man” Martyniouk, an Estonian native, stands 5-foot-10, while Ukrainian Viktor Postol towers at 5-foot-11.

They are expected to mimic Algieri’s style to give Pacquiao a feel of what he will be up against on November 23.

Both boxers have good credentials and are anticipated to test the eight-division champion.

Martyniouk, who recently sparred with Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, is a bronze medalist in the 2007 Golden Gloves championships. Postol, on the other hand, is the unbeaten WBC light welterweight Silver champion.

The two fighters will help Pacquiao prepare against Algieri, who stands at 5-foot-10 and implements a boxer-counterpuncher style.

Pacquiao is currently busy working on his conditioning, which will be very important come fight time, according to strength coach Justine Fortune.

"As far as his condition, he's in shape," Fortune said, while overseeing Pacquiao's training in General Santos City "He always maintains good condition because of his basketball, and he's always doing something."

"We'll be in shape, we'll be in great shape for Algieri," said Fortune. "We have to be, because Algieri will be in good shape. If anything, he's in great condition, so we'll be the same.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Guess how much Pacquiao will earn from Algieri fight

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – In just six weeks, the Manny Pacquiao-Chris Algieri fight will take place in Macau, China, and both fighters are gearing up for one of the most anticipated boxing matches of the year.

"It should be a great fight, and I hope Manny is gonna train very, very hard for this fight, because Algieri has the size advantage," said Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum. "He is a very intelligent kid, and he moves very well."

"Manny has to be on top of his game," he added.

In an exclusive interview with Balitang America, Arum also confirmed the boxers' fight purses.

"Manny's purse, from various sources, is guaranteed to be not less than $20 million," said Arum. "But what Chris is getting, that's up to his promoter, but I'm paying him $2.75 million."

When asked about Pacquiao's tax woes, Arum said: "The Philippines has a very good judicial system and Manny went to court in the Philippines and got an injunction against the tax people, because what they were doing was absolutely insane."

"They were taxing him on revenue that didn't exist, and when they asked her what was her theory as for the revenue, she said she read it in the newspaper," added Arum, referring to Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares.

Arum noted that Henares perhaps didn't realize that there are other expenses and "that the promoter has to get paid."

"What Manny got paid is a public record. Her conduct is, as an outsider, is really disturbing, and I think there's a lot of politics," Arum added.

It was last year when the Bureau of Internal Revenue froze some of Pacquiao's bank accounts, days after the boxer's victory against Brandon "Bam Bam" Rios.

Arum said that although it is inappropriate for him to comment on government officials, he believes that President Benigno Aquino III should take action.

"I think the President should be aware on what's happening and what she's doing, what a loose cannon she seems to be, and take appropriate action," said Arum.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao rings NY Stock Exchange closing bell

NEW YORK CITY – People's champ Manny Pacquiao rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange, the first Filipino boxer to do so.

"It’s a good experience," Pacquiao said.



Pacquiao is on a six-city tour to promote his bout with American Chris Algieri in Macau on November 22.

Pacquiao was joined in the event by Algieri.

"That was awesome! Of all things we've done on tour, that was my favorite," Algieri said.

Dozens of fans waited outside the exchange to meet the two boxers.

"Pacquiao, goodluck! Bugbugin mo si Algieri," said fan Lawrence Bautista.

Pacquiao, the winner of world titles in eight different weight divisions, will fight Algieri to keep his WBO Welterweight crown.

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