Pacquiao vs. Algieri: Key Factors in WBO World Welterweight Championship Bout
Manny Pacquiao will defend his WBO World Welterweight title against undefeated American Christopher Algieri in Macau, China, in his first trip back to the ring since taking revenge on Timothy Bradley.
The 35-year-old looked much improved in that fight than he did against Brandon Rios, demonstrating that his phenomenal hand speed is still as impressive as ever. On November 22, his opponent will be Algieri, who earned this fight with a split-decision win over Ruslan Provodnikov.
The Russian twice knocked Algieri down in the opening round before the 30-year-old turned the bout on its head, displaying not just his strong chin, but impressive precision in his combinations. Provodnikov got out-boxed—Algieri will try to do the same against Pacquiao.
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The Pac-Man is the clear favourite to defend his title, but so was Provodnikov in June. Here are the key factors that will determine the outcome of this fight.
Algieri's Power
People have been raving about Algieri's toughness following his win over Provodnikov, and for good reason. By the time the fight was over, Algieri's eye was swollen, he was bleeding badly and he had been dropped twice and stunned on several more occasions.
HBO shared some of the highlights of the fight on YouTube:
To just get up and continue against a boxer who, at least on paper, was supposed to be a class above your abilities is something that takes courage, and he'll bring that same courage with him to Macau.
Pacquiao's coach Freddie Roach praised the 30-year-old, although he believes his guy will emerge victorious, as he told Philstar's Abac Cordero:
"We’re fighting the new generation now. He’s a tough kid and he’s strong. He doesn’t have the speed and the skills Manny has. But he has the power. We’re fighting the new generation. (Brandon) Rios was the first step. And then (Tim) Bradley). These guys are younger and hungrier.
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Whether he has the power remains to be seen. More than half of Algieri's fights have gone the distance, indicating his stopping power isn't everything Roach makes it out to be.
Fighting for Pacquiao's welterweight belt, the King of New York will enter the bout seven pounds heavier than he did against Provodnikov.
How the added weight impacts his power will go a long way in deciding this fight. Out-boxing the Russian, who only moves at one speed, is a lot easier than doing the same against the Filipino star.
Pacquiao's Speed
Calling Algieri a "runner" is unfair. The American is a smart, savvy boxer who moves well around the ring, has an excellent jab and displays impressive boxing IQ. Technically, he is as sound as they come.
What he doesn't have is great speed, and against Pac-Man, that could be a problem.
Provodnikov is a slugger, capable of inflicting huge amounts of damage when a fighter steps into his wheelhouse. Algieri used his technical advantage and movement around the ring to stay away from the Russian, racking up the points with his jab.
Pacquiao brings the same kind of power, but with so much more. One of the most uniquely skilled fighters in the world, his blend of raw hand speed, power and footwork is unparalleled. Pac-Man has the uncanny ability to stay in front of his opponent, throwing combinations at a devastating tempo.
Algieri believes in his chances, refusing to compare the fight to some kind of Rocky Balboa-scenario, via Fight News' Miguel Maravilla:
"Training camp has been going fantastic. I’m feeling even more confident and as you know I’m a very confident guy to begin with, but training camp has been above and beyond what I expected. We’ve had great work. The energy in camp has been incredible…On November 22, it’s not going to be my “Rockyesque” performance that’s going to win the day. It’s going to be my smart technical boxing skills and my strategy and my mental and physical preparation…I’m looking to be the new WBO welterweight world champion.
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Those technical skills could betray him when faced with Pacquiao, who will likely come out blazing, keeping the pace as high as possible. He knows Algieri can be stopped early—Provodnikov downed him twice.
But an early stoppage won't be necessary: As long as Pacquiao keeps moving well, doesn't slow down and doesn't allow Algieri to grow comfortable, that speed is going to remain a factor.
Level of Competition
At some point, every upcoming fighter has to take the step up in class and beat the best. Some prove their potential, but most find out the hard way there's a reason guys like Pacquiao consistently rank at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings for decades.
His win over Emmanuel Taylor was solid—his title bout against Provodnikov was heroic, but also close. For someone who has built a career out of winning decisions, his showing against the Russian didn't instill a lot of confidence.
Pacquiao sits at a whole other level. He's smarter, faster, more accurate and more mobile than Provodnikov, and unlike anything Algieri has ever seen. He was blasted in the first round back in June, looking overwhelmed and barely surviving an onslaught.
He pulled through, to his credit, but it's not inconceivable to believe the same thing might happen in Macau. Pacquiao will surely come out strong, and Algieri will have to be at his very best not to get overwhelmed.
Prediction: Algieri survives the first two rounds but receives the best tickets in the house to watch the greatness that is Pac-Man. Pacquiao by unanimous decision.
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