Pacquiao vs. Algieri Fight Time, Preview and PPV Coverage Info
Manny "Pac-Man" Pacquiao will have a chance to further decide the trajectory of the rest of his career in Saturday night's welterweight title fight against Chris Algieri.
Should he win convincingly, the choirs singing for a Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. battle might become too ear-piercing to ignore. But a defeat to an emerging name like Algieri might—just might—put an end to Pacquiao's legendary career.
To suggest that a lot is on the line in the main event in Macau, China, would be a vast understatement. Either way, we're set for some memorable boxing with two fighters atop their respective divisions.
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Here's a glance at everything you need to know for Saturday night's showdown.
When: Saturday, November 22
Where: Cotai Arena, The Venetian Macao, Macau, China
Start Time (ET): 9 p.m.
TV: HBO pay-per-view
Pacquiao vs. Algieri Preview
After nearly missing weight, Algieri is ready for his chance of a lifetime against Pacquiao.
That's right—the challenger surpassed the 144-pound limit in his first weigh-in Friday, only to return to a deserted arena 40 minutes later and make weight, per USA Today's Martin Rogers. But after dodging a serious bullet, the fight is back on.
"It is pretty embarrassing for him," Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach told Rogers of Algieri. "He is supposed to be a health and nutrition expert."
Roach isn't exaggerating—Algieri boasts a master's degree in clinical nutrition. But while his expertise in personal health may not be as sharp as it should, his boxing expertise should be on display.
Algieri is a quick-hitting dynamo who can out-hustle opponents despite his lanky size and throw a wealth more punches than his opposition. That was never on better display than against Ruslan Provodnikov, when Algieri threw 217 more punches, per ESPN.com's Dan Rafael.
Pacquiao used to be a knockout specialist but has recently tailored his game to allow for his immense foot and hand speed to take over. He's as quick as he has ever been, gliding around opponents and patiently waiting for the right time to attack—but not being bashful in the process.
His remaining place behind Mayweather in virtually every boxing ranking should keep him motivated as well, per ESPN Stats and Info:
Pacquiao might have his sights set on Mayweather, but that could end up being a terrible thing if it means the Pac-Man isn't focused against Algieri. His opponent is a world champion who has enough confidence in his style to stick to it for 12 rounds and come out victorious.
Most any boxer in Pacquiao's position would be making every sort of guarantee, but he's not that type of guy, per The Associated Press' Tim Dahlberg via ABC News:
"I'm not predicting a knockout but I'm looking for a good fight and looking to prove I can still fight," Pacquiao said. "I'm looking to maintain my speed and my power in this fight."
That doesn't sound like a man who is overlooking anything.
If Pacquiao sticks to his plan and waits for the right times to attack, he will have no trouble taking the advantage and pulling out an easy victory. But if he gets on his heels early and Algieri becomes the aggressor, Pacquiao's belt could be in jeopardy.
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