Pacquiao vs. Algieri Undercard: Predictions and Updated Odds for Fight Card
On Saturday night in Macau, China, Manny Pacquiao will attempt to take one more step toward taking on Floyd Mayweather Jr. in what could be the most highly anticipated fight in the history of boxing.
Pacquiao faces WBO light welterweight champion Chris Algieri in what could be a compelling battle of styles.
Algieri is a 5'10" pure boxer with a kickboxing background. In June, he upset Pacquiao's former sparring partner Ruslan Provodnikov and took his WBO light welterweight title. He'll be looking for a second big upset this year.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Pacquiao is still trying to regain the prestige he had before being knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez in Dec. 2012. He's won two fights in a row since, but his latest assignment could be his toughest since falling to Marquez.
Before Pacquiao and Algieri take the ring for the main event, a good crop of preliminary bouts should keep fans engaged during the undercard. Here's a look at the fights on tap, as well as the latest odds for each per Odds Shark.
Just below the chart is my prediction for the outcome of each bout.
| (c) Manny Pacquiao vs. Chris Algieri | Welterweight (Catchweight 144) | WBO | Pacquiao -1250, Algieri +650 |
| (c) Jessie Vargas vs. Antonio DeMarco | Light Welterweight | WBA | Vargas -357, DeMarco +250 |
| Zou Shiming vs. Kwanpichit Onesongchaigym | Flyweight | Shiming -2500, Onesongchaigym +1000 | |
| (c) Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo | Featherweight | WBO | Lomachenko -3333, Piriyapinyo +1200 |
Lomachenko Too Fast, Too Skilled for Piriyapinyo
While purists may not like the fact that Vasyl Lomachenko was vaulted up the rankings after only one professional fight, there's no doubting his skills in the ring. After putting together one of the most successful amateur careers in history, Lomachenko has put the pedal to the metal in his pro career.
He outboxed fellow prospect Gary Russell Jr. en route to his first world title in June. While the man they call "Hi-Tech" is undoubtedly eyeing bigger-named opponents and higher paydays, he must face his WBO mandatory challenger in this one.
Piriyapinyo is a veteran fighter from Thailand, but he's never faced an opponent with the skills that Lomachenko possesses. When it comes to speed, punching accuracy and confidence level, Lomachenko is simply in another league.
The amateur great will extend his professional success with an easy TKO win over an overmatched opponent. It'll be great to see Lomachenko in the ring with the likes of Nicholas Walters. Hopefully, a fight like that is next for the talented 26-year-old Ukrainian.
Shiming's Size Will Overcome Diminutive Opponent
It's not often that a 5'5" man towers over anyone, but that will be the case on Saturday night when Zou Shiming faces the 5'2" Kwanpichit Onesongchaigym.
Shiming had his own impressive run as an amateur. He won two Olympic gold medals and three world amateur championships. Unlike Lomachenko, Shiming has taken a slightly more calculated approach toward a world title.
The 33-year-old from China is 5-0 heading into Saturday's bout, and he could be on the cusp of a world-title opportunity.
Against Onesongchaigym, Shiming's solid footwork and length should serve as an impenetrable impediment for the smaller Thai fighter. Shiming has improved in each of his pro bouts, and he's looked more confident and willing to throw power shots.
In front of fans in his homeland, Shiming will break down his opponent with a steady jab that turns over into a left hook. He'll control distance and force a mid-round stoppage.
Vargas Will Outwork DeMarco
Vargas has enlisted the help of future Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. as his trainer.
You never know exactly how a new trainer will impact a fighter in the ring, but Vargas already has the tools and heart of a fighter with a relatively high ceiling.
On Saturday, he's facing a former champion in Antonio DeMarco but one who has moved up in weight since we last saw him in the ring with a notable name.
Back in Nov. 2011, Adrien Broner pounded DeMarco and took his WBC lightweight title via eighth-round TKO. DeMarco is a tough, hard-nosed fighter; however, he lacks the hand speed and defensive instincts to handle Vargas over 12 rounds.
Expect this to be the most competitive bout on the undercard, but Vargas should defend his title via unanimous decision.
Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
