Pacquiao vs. Algieri: Fight Time, Online Odds and Projected Championship Winner

The vast part of the boxing world thirsty for Manny Pacquiao to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. will have to make do with Pac-Man going up against Chris Algieri in Saturday's welterweight title showdown.

And although it might not be matchup No. 1 for boxing aficionados, Pacquiao-Algieri promises to live up to the billing. Algieri comes in with an undefeated record and hopes to add to his trophy case after winning the light welterweight title earlier this year while Pacquiao is seemingly auditioning for Mayweather in every one of his late-career appearances.

Let's get right to it and break down everything you need to know.

When: Saturday, November 22

Where: Cotai Arena, The Venetian Macao, Macau, China

Start Time (ET): 9 p.m.

TV: HBO pay-per-view

Boxer	Odds
Manny Pacquiao	-630
Chris Algieri	+520

Note: Odds courtesy of Odds Shark, last updated Nov. 22 at 1 a.m. ET

Pacquiao vs. Algieri Preview

The main event Saturday night came close to being axed hours before, but Algieri was able to make weight on his second attempt, according to New York Daily News' Mitch Abramson. 

Now, the focus will shift back to where it's really been all along.

That, of course, is a fight that will go a long way to deciding the trajectory of the rest of Pacquiao's career. A convincing win would generate even more noise over a Mayweather battle—maybe too much for Money May to ignore—while a loss could significantly shape Pacquiao's legacy for the worse.

A big reason why a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight hasn't happened lately has been Pacquiao's own struggles, which trainer Freddie Roach insists the Pac-Man is ready to put in the rearview mirror.

"Believe me, he wants an emphatic victory. He needs an emphatic victory," Roach told ESPN.com's Dan Rafael. "That is why he has gone the extra mile in this camp to achieve that. Manny is going to drop the curtain on the Chris Algieri show."

Chris Hyde/Getty Images

But this isn't an overmatched foe that Pacquiao will go up against. Algieri's undefeated record is no longer worth dismissing after he took care of Ruslan Provodnikov so convincingly.

One aspect of Algieri's style that stuck out there was his immense quantity of punches, which Pacquiao will have to be ready for. Algieri spoke about that with The Ring's Lem Satterfield:

Chris Hyde/Getty Images

"

I am an active fighter. All of my fights have been exciting, even the lopsided ones. I am not concerned about taking a conscious approach to making my style more exciting. I think I go out there and fight in the manner that works best for me getting a win and it just so happens that its good to watch.

"

Algieri's style has worked wonders against every fighter he's gone up against, and it will work even against the likes of Pacquiao early on. But while the champion's focus and resolve will be tested, he'll pass with flying colors and get back to his own style.

When Pacquiao gets to that level, he's nothing short of unstoppable. 

Prediction: Pacquiao wins via fifth-round TKO