MANILA – Filipino world champion Manny Pacquiao describes his next opponent Chris Algieri as an “okay” fighter who has tremendous height and reach advantage.
”I saw his fight with Ruslan (Provodnikov). He took a lot of bad punches from Ruslan but he’s a tough guy. He can box. I’m not saying he is really good but he’s not bad. He’s okay,” Pacquiao said in a report of boxingscene.com
Pacquiao, reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight titlist, and Algieri, WBO junior welterweight champion, kicked off on Monday their two-week international media tour for their Nov. 22 fight in Venetian, Macao.
The tour will include stops in Shanghai, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York.
Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 KOs) had fought and defeated bigger fighters but admitted Algieri’s height advantage is his main concern.
”The biggest challenge for me is to fight another tall guy. I have to use my speed and footwork for this fight,” the congressman of the lone district of Sarangani province said.
Freddie Roach, the long-time American coach of Pacquiao, agreed and he has to prepare his ward for it.
”Algieri has a good reach advantage and we’re going to have to get past that and his jab. That will be our biggest challenge. We have ways to do that,” Roach said.
Algieri (20-0,8 KOs) is coming off a split decision upset win over Provodnikov last June, earning him a rare opportunity to fight Pacquiao, the only fighter to win eight world titles in eight separate divisions.
The five-foot-six Algieri admitted his committed mistake against Provodnikov and promised not to do the same against the Filipino boxing icon.
”The first round I made a mistake. I paid for it for the next 11-and-a-half rounds. Got a little too aggressive too early against a very dangerous guy,” Algieri said.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum predicted an exciting fight between Pacquiao and Algieri.
“The battle between the two world champions will be a fantastic fight. Manny’s non-stop attack style will be challenged by Algieri’s laser-like punching,” Arum said in philboxing.com.
Pacquiao, 5-foot-6, regained the WBO welterweight belt after handing American Timothy Bradley his first defeat in 32 fights last April 12.