During the final day of the twenty-seventh WBO Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Puerto Rican-based sanctioning organization made a controversial ruling concerning their current Junior Welterweight title holder, Chris Algieri.
Because the Huntington, New York, resident is slated to face Manny Pacquiao on November 22, at a catch weight of 144 pounds and compete for the Pacman’s welterweight strap, the WBO is forcing Algieri to relinquish the title he won just four months prior.
His promotional team of Artie Pelullo of Banner Promotions and Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing are understandably dumbfounded by the controversial decision.
“From what we just found out, Chris won’t be able to keep his title because he’s going to be competing above the Junior Welterweight limit on November 22 against Manny Pacquiao,” stated the Philadelphia based fight promoter.
“This was news to both myself and my partner Joe DeGuardia. I think Joe has plans to deal with this issue concerning Chris and WBO.”
Pelullo is now co-promoting the 30 year old title holder as a result of a promotional option, stemming from Algieri’s big victory over the heavily favored former WBO Champion, Ruslan Provodnikov.
Chris’ longtime promoter and legal advisor, Joe DeGuardia, has taken exception to the WBO’s position on the matter.
“We were stunned when we heard the news,” claimed the licensed New York attorney. “We’re going to have to get this cleared up. Because it was my understanding that this fight wouldn’t affect Chris’ championship status at Junior Welterweight.”
“Chris was going into this fight as the WBO Junior Welterweight Champion and Manny as the WBO Welterweight Champion, and they would be competing for Pacquiao’s 147 pound title with the understanding that this fight wouldn’t be of any consequence to Chris’ 140 pound title.”
“So we’ll have to go through the paper work and get this cleared up with the WBO. But I’m sure we will. I’m sure the right thing will take place.”
Next Thursday, November 6, Chris Algieri will be at the Conga Room at “LA Live” in Los Angeles, California, along with Zou Shiming, Vasyl Lomachenko, Jessie Vargas, Roy Jones Jr., and Bob Arum, to promote the upcoming HBO Boxing PPV event in Macao, China.
This will be Algieri’s final media appearance in California before heading off to the Venetian Macao to challenge “Fighter of the Decade” and reigning WBO Welterweight Champion Manny Pacquiao.
The highly anticipated “Pacquiao-Algieri” World Welterweight Championship event will take place Saturday, November 22, at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Arena, and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Boxing Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.
“24/7 Pacquiao/Algieri,” premieres Saturday, November 8 at 1:00 a.m. (ET/PT) on HBO immediately following the live “Hopkins vs. Kovalev” World Championship Boxing event from Atlantic City.
