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
