hris Algieri wears stones around his wrist and neck that he believes increase the positive energy around him.
“They’re for tranquillity, power and self confidence,” the New Yorker said Tuesday in Hollywood, where he filmed a promotional segment.
Algieri isn’t in Los Angeles to make a self-help DVD. He’s here to sell sports fans on the idea he’s capable of beating Manny Pacquiao in their HBO pay-per-view welterweight world title fight in Macao on Nov. 22. They’ll appear at a news conference in Century City on Wednesday. Manny Pacquiao Caption Manny Pacquiao Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times Rated as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, Manny Pacquiao was already called the best boxer in the 2000s. At the age of 35 with a record of 56 wins, five losses and two ties, Pacquiao shows no sign of slowing down. First punch on American soil Caption First punch on American soil Laura Rauch / Associated Press Pacquiao’s professional boxing career started in 1995 and he boxed primarily in the Philippines until 2001. In his 2001 debut in the United States against Lehlohonolo Ledwaba of South Africa, Pacquiao won by TKO in six rounds. Losing his featherweight title Caption Losing his featherweight title Eric Jamison / Associated Press Before facing Mexico’s Erik Morales in March 19, 2005, in Las Vegas, Pacquiao had not lost since September 1999. Morales won by unanimous decision to take the WBC international super featherweight title. Another shot at Morales Caption Another shot at Morales Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images Ten months later, Pacquiao faced Erik Morales again. Pacquiao knocked Morales out in the 10th round. It was the first time Morales was knocked out in his boxing career. Winning the lightweight title belt Caption Winning the lightweight title belt Eric Jamison / Associated Press Pacquiao trades punches with David Diaz during their WBC lightweight championship boxing match June 28, 2008, in Las Vegas. Pacquiao won by knockout in the ninth round.
The 30-year-old Algieri (20-0, eight knockouts) propelled himself to a shot at Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 KOs) with two upset wins ? over Emmanuel Taylor in February, and over Pacquiao’s former sparring mate, Ruslan Provodnikov, in June.
“After the fight, I said, ‘Why the hell not Algieri?'” said Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s veteran promoter. “Good-looking, articulate American. Smart as hell as an athlete too.” lRelated UFC’s T.J. Dillashaw deftly handles drama, keeps belt
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A former kickboxer who didn’t box professionally until 2008, the fast-handed Algieri possesses a bachelor’s degree in health and a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from Stony Brook University in New York. Besides his extensive education on conditioning, Algieri exudes confidence that he can pull off his biggest stunner yet.
“I love this fight, love the matchup,” said Algieri, who at 5 feet 10 is Pacquiao’s second-tallest foe. The 5-11 Antonio Margarito lost a unanimous decision to Pacquiao in 2010.
“Stylistically, it’s a very interesting fight. I don’t think he’s ever fought a guy like me with my physical abilities ? as tall, as athletic as I am. I’m going to be a master boxer.” Related story: Floyd Mayweather, trainers confident about Marcos Maidana rematch Related story: Floyd Mayweather, trainers confident about Marcos Maidana rematch Lance Pugmire
Pacquiao is aware Algieri was knocked down twice in the first round against Provodnikov before rallying impressively to outbox the Russian.
So how do book smarts and the intelligence to win one belt compare to the ring wisdom that Pacquiao has used to win belts in eight divisions?
“That’s what we’ll have to see, but Manny has his work cut out for him,” Arum said. “Manny understands the sport at a world-class level, but there’s something about Algieri you can’t underrate. He keeps beating guys.” cComments Got something to say? Start the conversation and be the first to comment. Add a comment 0
Algieri claims he’ll show greater endurance than the conditioning dynamo Pacquiao, who’s five years older and has fought 395 pro rounds compared to Algieri’s 122.
Despite that, the challenger ? who still lives at home with his parents in Huntington, N.Y. ? understands that Pacquiao’s body of work is why the welterweight champion draws thousands to appearances such as last week’s promotional stop in Las Vegas.
