Pacquiao vs. Algieri: Early Fight Predictions, PPV Schedule and More

Chris Algieri is going to shock the world or be robbed in a controversial decision. That's a rather bold prediction, but it's how I see the bout with Manny Pacquiao transpiring on Nov. 22 in Macau, China.

Algieri's size, speed, stamina, punching accuracy and in-ring IQ are a troublesome combination for Pacquiao. It's perplexing that Pacquiao would even take a fight like this at this stage of his career.

Algieri is a relative unknown with pure boxing skills. The risk really doesn't match the reward for Pacquiao. However, Pac-Man does deserve credit for taking on a tough fight. Here's the viewing information needed to catch this bout.

When	Where	TV
Undercard	Weight	Titles
Sat. Nov. 22 at 9 p.m. ET	Macau, China	HBO PPV
(c) Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo	Featherweight	WBO
(c) Jessie Vargas vs. Antonio DeMarco	Light Welterweight	WBA
Zou Shiming vs. Kwanpichit Onesongchaigym	Flyweight

Many in the boxing community may not see this as a real challenge, but here's why they're wrong.

At 5'10", Algieri owns a 3.5-inch height advantage and a five-inch edge in reach. This won't be the first time Pacquiao has faced an opponent with a huge height and reach advantage. Pacquiao decisively beat both Antonio Margarito and Oscar De La Hoya, who were taller and longer than him.

Those two opponents were 5'11" and 5'10.5", respectively. They were also much slower than Pacquiao. Margarito was a one-dimensional plodder who served as nothing more than a punching bag for Pacquiao when the two met in 2010. His severe lack of speed and defense eliminated any edge his height might have afforded him.

In his prime, De La Hoya might have had the speed and jab to properly utilize his length advantage, but he faced Pacquiao in the last fight of his career. He was a shell of himself and subsequently quit on the stool after the eighth round of their 2008 bout.

Algieri isn't slow, old or devoid of defensive instinct. He employs constant movement, understands angles and he has great stamina. 

Against Ruslan Provodnikov, he was floored with a massive shot in the very first round. He went down a second time in the first frame but survived the initial storm. From there, he befuddled the relentless Siberian with great footwork, sharp combinations, a clean jab and smart lateral movement.

He never seemed to slow down. Even into the 12th round, Algieri still had tread left on his tires.

Per Joseph Santoliquito of Sherdog.com, Algieri landed 288 of 993 punches. His jab was on point, connecting 111 of 566 times. He even landed more power shots, hitting on 177 of 427 compared to 164 of 434 for Provodnikov. Based on this look at the bout, it makes you wonder how Algieri didn't win a unanimous decision.

These stats prove that Algieri was doing more than just moving. It speaks to his punching accuracy and ability to fight while moving backward and horizontally. These are skills he'll need to employ against Pacquiao. 

Algieri doesn't possess much punching power; his modest KO total of eight is proof of that. Thus, a KO finish is almost certainly out of the question. Because of that, he has to hope that the judges appreciate and reward his style. Despite the way he seemed to outbox Provodnikov, one judge didn't give Algieri the decision.

Could he find himself not getting the nod from at least two judges on Saturday? It's very possible.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has yet to name his opponent for May 2015. It's possible it could be Manny Pacquiao.

With so much riding on a potential fight of a lifetime, it wouldn't be crazy to think the judges might give Pacquiao the benefit of the doubt in close rounds. Pac-Man is the big name and the harder puncher. If he were to score an early knockdown like Provodnikov did, it would be difficult for Algieri to dig himself out of that hole against Pacquiao.

Because of this dynamic, Algieri could get slighted in a decision. In any case, expect him to fight well. Whether he gets the nod from the judges remains to be seen.

Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.