Manny Pacquiao is to fight unbeaten American Chris Algieri in Macau, putting his WBO welterweight title on the line in the November 22 bout. “Everything is done. Pacquiao is on board” for the Algieri fight, said his promoter, Bob Arum.
Algieri, 30, has a 20-0 professional record, taking the WBO light-welterweight title last month by split decision from Russia’s Ruslan Provodnikov, a former Pacquiao sparring partner.
But the fight with the 35-year-old Filipino – once regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter of his generation – would be the most high-profile bout for the native of Huntington, New York.
The bout would be a test of Pacquiao’s determination to stay at the top of his sport. Considered a national hero in the Philippines after becoming world champion in eight weight divisions, Pacquiao’s fighting skills have earned him fabulous wealth.
But he has since branched out into other pursuits, including as a preacher, product endorser, television host, and elected congressman. He also plans to coach an expansion team in professional basketball at home.
Pacquiao suffered two consecutive defeats in 2012 to American Timothy Bradley, 30, and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez.
He redeemed himself somewhat in winning a Bradley rematch last April, following a convincing victory against another American, Brandon Rios, 28, in Macau last November.
The Algieri bout means boxing fans would have to wait some more for the dream match most of them want to see – Pacquiao versus another unbeaten American, Floyd Mayweather Jr.
There have been repeated efforts to negotiate such a fight, but they have never come to fruition since Mayweather, 37, has declared that he will never face Pacquiao as long as he is promoted by Arum.
Mayweather is known to be on bad terms with Arum – his former promoter – whom he accused of short- changing him.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
