Manny Pacquiao vs. Chris Algieri: Early Fight Odds and Scorecard Predictions
When Manny Pacquiao steps into the ring against Chris Algieri on Nov. 22 to defend his WBO welterweight title, he will be completely focused on his taller, strapping opponent. Algieri should be just as equally locked in.
The fans and pundits, however, can be forgiven for looking past the fighters and into what may lie in store for these two beyond this particular bout.
While still an immensely entertaining and popular fighter, the fight against Algieri offers Pacquiao a chance to mount yet another title defense and perhaps, but only just perhaps, show that he is in the right shape and frame of mind to fight Floyd Mayweather.
"I do have one specific goal and that is to give the boxing fans the fight they have always asked for," Pacquiao said on Nov. 12, via ESPN.com's Dan Rafael. "I want that fight [with Mayweather] too."
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Indeed, it's the Schrodinger's cat of boxing matches—dead and alive at the same time—and at this point seems just as likely to be scheduled in Narnia as it is the MGM Grand, Manila or Macau.
For Algieri, a good showing against Pacquiao will prove that this former kickboxer is indeed ready to move beyond his native New York and demand high-profile opponents on a regular basis. If he loses, his pugilistic empire may never extend beyond the Empire State.
Here is a look at the early fight odds, along with some scorecard predictions and a fight preview.
| Nov. 22 | The Venetian Macao, Macau S.A.R., China | Algieri +650, Pacquiao -1250 | Algier +600, Pacquiao -750 | Pacquiao 117-111 Algieri |
Note: Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com and updated as of Nov. 19.
Fight Preview
Pacquiao's pugilistic reputation has waned a bit in the past couple of years, with the low point coming in a knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in December 2012.
He's since won two fights, including regaining his WBO welterweight title earlier this year in a unanimous-decision win over Timothy Bradley, who took that title from Pacquiao in June 2012.
Algieri, who looks more like a Wall Street mortgage broker than a professional boxer, is certainly stepping out of his comfort zone for this fight. The Pacquiao bout will be his first match outside of New York. It's also just his second bout scheduled to go 12 rounds. Despite the unfamiliar circumstances, he doesn't lack for confidence.
"I go in with the conviction that I am going to win this,” he said, via The New York Times' Tom Pedulla. “I’m going to beat Manny Pacquiao, no disrespect to him or anyone else. That’s just how I feel."
He has a considerable height and reach advantage over the diminutive Pacquiao but will have to contend with the latter's speed in Saturday's contest.
| 35 | Age | 30 |
| 5'6.5" | Height | 5'11" |
| 67" | Reach | 72" |
| Southpaw | Stance | Orthodox |
| 56 (KO 38) | Wins | 20 (8 KO) |
| 5 | Losses | 0 |
| 2 | Draws | 0 |
| 60.32 % | KO percentage | 40% |
Algieri will have to hope his training has him in the right shape to go the distance against a boxer who's shown an increased willingness to work his way around the ring in later years.
Algieri hasn't scored a knockout or technical knockout since a TKO win over Winston Mathis in March 2012. The last time Pacquiao ended a fight early was against Miguel Cotto way back in 2009.
If Cicilio Flores, a strength and conditioning coach who has worked with Algieri, is to be believed, the Long Islander won't have a problem going the distance, via Newsday's Greg Logan:
"Flores said Algieri held his own in sparring with Marcos Maidana, and he also sparred with Brandon Rios, who lost to Pacquiao a year ago in his last appearance in Macau. Based on Algieri's superb conditioning, Flores said Algieri has the ability to throw 100 punches per round if necessary, and he can hurt an opponent despite a 20-0 record that includes only eight knockouts.
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Pacquiao has immeasurable experience over Algieri when it comes to boxing. The latter didn't start training in the sport until 2008, per Pedulla. At his height, Pac-Man could brawl with the best of them, but he's also shown that he can work a defensive strategy. If Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach is to be believed, Pac-Man will be aggressive and looking for a knockout win.
"Manny told me, 'One round,'" Roach said, via Logan. "He's never done that. He won't repeat it, but that's what he said: 'One round.'"
He was highly aggressive in his rematch with Bradley, but beating up on Algieri early won't guarantee a result. Algieri came back from two first-round knockdowns from Ruslan Provodnikov to win by split decision.
Pac-Man will likely have to rely on his southpaw stylings to throw off Algieri and take a measured approach and mix in aggressive flurries with stretches where he utilizes his speed and strong straight left to keep his opponent off balance.
Should Pacquiao lose to Algieri, it's quite possible it may spark a discussion of his retirement. He has plenty of other interests beyond boxing, including politics of all things, and does not need the canvas to remain an important public figure. With a win for Pacquiao, another high-profile bout is in order, possibly against Mayweather, but any big-name fighter should do.
Algieri's profile has been raised just by virtue of his name being placed opposite Pacquiao's, but a win could catapult this puncher from America's biggest media market into stardom. Even a loss won't necessarily derail things, so long as he puts in a capable showing.
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