Boxing: Can Algieri Beat Pacquiao In China On HBO, Nov. 22?
Boxing: Can Algieri Beat Pacquiao In China On HBO, Nov. 22?
Long Island’s Chris Algieri (20-0) is scheduled to step inside the ropes on HBO pay-per-view Saturday November 22, 2014 against one of the greatest boxers of his time, Manny Pacquiao (56-4-3). The fight takes place at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Arena, China. The HBO PPV starts at 9 pm EST.
Algieri, 30, captured the WBO light welterweight title by defeating Russian champion, Ruslan Provodnikov, in his last bout. The fight took place at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, NY. Algieri showed resilience in his war against Provodnikov. After receiving two 8-counts early in the fight, Algieri battled his way back through 12 rounds to take the split decision victory.
Saturday in China will be the first time Long Island’s “King of New York” fights outside of his home state after 20 professional bouts. The 30-year-old boxer will take on Pacquiao, whom is fives years his elder and is 43 fights of experience greater.
Algieri will have four inches in height and five inches in the reach department on Pacquiao, but will have to rely on his footwork to escape from the Filipino icon’s speed. “Pac-man” uses excellent angles when on the attack which all stems from his excellent footwork. Pacquiao’s speed allows him to deliver devastating combinations.
“The King of New York” will have to use his reach and force the southpaw fighter to come in close. Algieri has a strong straight jab the causes a great amount of damage as his snaps his opponent’s heads back. According to HBO, CompuBox predicts “a dangerous match-up for Manny Pacquiao because Chris Algieri knows what he is and he doesn’t deviate from it.” In both fighters last four fights, Pacquiao connected on total punches an average of 19.7 each round, compared to Algieri’s 23.4.
Algieri doubles “Pac-man” in the jabs thrown department as he averages 48.7 a round to Pacquiao’s 21.6. He also connects more jabs a round averaging 7.2 to his opponents 4.2.
The proud New Yorker has the opportunity to prove all the critics wrong by knocking off the “Pambansang Ninong” (National godfather). Algieri has the heart and skill to extend the fight through the scheduled 12 rounds, but it’s crucial for him to stay with his game plan and don’t let the experienced fighter pull him into any traps.
The Stony Brook University graduate has all the tools mentally and physically to take the WBO welterweight belt away from Manny Pacquiao, can he stick to his game plan and do the unthinkable?
