Pacquiao vs. Algieri Predictions: Projections for International Fight Event
The eyes of the globe turn to The Venetian Macao in Macau, China, Saturday as Manny Pacquiao and Chris Algieri top a stacked Top Rank card that stands as one of the year's best.
As a way for Top Rank to further the sport on an international scale, the headline act is far from the only quality mix of elite talent on the card. Jessie Vargas will defend his title, Vasyl Lomachenko and Zou Shiming are in action and other names that hold international weight will look to use the event as a launching pad.
The focal point, of course, is Pacquiao. Saturday's final act may not be against the opponent most would prefer, but a dangerous, undefeated Algieri would likely have it no other way.
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Pacquiao vs. Algieri Card and Predictions
| Chris Algieri (+650) vs. Manny Pacquiao (-1250) | Manny Pacquiao |
| Kwanpichit OnesongchaiGym vs. Zou Shiming | Zou Shiming |
| Vasyl Lomachenko (-4500) vs. Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo (+1800) | Vasyl Lomachenko |
| Antonio DeMarco (+250) vs. Jessie Vargas (-357) | Jessie Vargas |
| Fadhili Majiha vs. Jerwin Ancajas | Jerwin Ancajas |
| Espinos Sabu vs. Rex Tso | Rex Tso |
| Stephen Attard vs. Kuok Kun Ng | Stephen Attard |
| Andrew Robinson vs. Qu Peng | Qu Peng |
Card via TopRank.com. Odds, where available, via Odds Shark as of Nov. 18 at 7 a.m. ET.
Breaking Down Top Matches
Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo
One of the best amateur fighters in history surely hopes to use Saturday's event as a way to expand his global reach.
Lomachenko is the subject, of course. Outside of a loss to Orlando Salido, the Ukraine native has quietly been one of the sport's most dominant figures over the course of the past few years. As Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN.com's Dan Rafael, Saturday is a way to get a mandatory defense out of the way and showcase a rising talent:
"When Lomachenko fought Gary Russell, it was for the vacant title, so there is a mandatory lingering around. It's a Thai guy, Piriyapinyo, who has an unbelievable record and went the distance with Chris John. It's probably not a fight that makes sense in the U.S. and that the mandatory is from Thailand provides us with a good platform to get rid of the obligation and showcase what a great fighter Lomachenko is. That's why we're doing it on the Pacquiao card.
"
Understand that while this is a showcase for Lomachenko, his opponent is not just going to throw in the towel.
The 29-year-old Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo is a threat to most names he steps in the ring with, as one can glean from his 52-1 mark with a stunning 33 knockouts. He gets out of the gates a bit slow, but once he gets going, he has the chin to stand in with anyone and the stamina to go the distance.
Lomachenko may be at a professional experience disadvantage, but he does have a pair of Olympic gold medals under his belt. He figures to tout the exact recipe for shutting down Piriyapinyo, too, as a technical savant who can dodge his way out of trouble and pick and choose his spots wisely.
That figures to give the champ a serious edge in this particular bout. Lomachenko can capitalize on a slow start from his opponent and then avoid the major knockout attempt to get an eventual win and improve his pro record.
Prediction: Lomachenko via unanimous decision.
Chris Algieri vs. Manny Pacquiao
Many have overlooked this fight and continue to focus on what is next for Pacquiao.
That is a dangerous thing indeed.
Algieri and his 20-0 mark with eight knockouts is no joke. The New York native has great speed and stamina to go the distance, not to mention the smarts needed to adapt to any and all comers, as one can glean from his impressive record.
Not only that, Algieri has a height advantage over Pacquiao by more than three inches and a five-inch reach advantage, too.
"I truly believe that if I be myself and do what I know I can do, it doesn't matter what Pacquiao does," Algieri said, per Newsday's Greg Logan. "We're just going to set the tone and the pace and win the fight that way, just win it outright without having to worry about Pacquiao."
The only problem for Algieri is that if Pacquiao has not overlooked him in the slightest, a win in China is downright unlikely. Not only is Pac-Man still one of the best in the business, having recently dispatched of Timothy Bradley, he is sure to get the benefit of the doubt from the judges in close rounds, as do most high-profile champions.
These two are not known for their knockout power, but expect an offensive-minded affair anyway. The predictable outcome, though, seems to be the only way this one will swing.
Prediction: Pacquiao via unanimous decision.
Stats and info via BoxRec.com unless otherwise specified.
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