Errol Spence Jr. vs. Chris Algieri: Fight Time, Date, Live Stream and TV Info
The man who may wind up being boxing's next great welterweight is set for his first close-up. The undefeated Errol Spence Jr. (19-0, 16 KO) will headline Saturday's Premier Boxing Champions show from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Former WBO 140-pound champion Chris Algieri (21-2, eight KO) will provide the opposition. Algieri is known for his upset win over Ruslan Provodnikov in 2014, but things haven't been as rosy for the 32-year-old Huntington, New York, native since. He's lost two of his last three fights, but he's still skilled enough to be a problem for most in his weight range.
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He'll be near his hometown on Saturday, and he'll likely need the support as he takes on one of the sport's best young fighters. Here's how you can watch the fight:
When: Saturday, April 16, at 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York
TV: NBC
Live Stream: NBCSports.com
Last Time Out
Spence Smokes Barrera
Spence needed just five rounds to score a TKO win over Alejandro Barrera in November 2015. The 26-year-old put down Barrera twice in the fifth round before referee Laurence Cole called an end to the action.
The TKO win was Spence's sixth straight stoppage victory. It upped his KO percentage to 84 percent in 19 professional fights. The former Olympian has the speed and power, and he appears to have the maturity to be a champion.
He's yet to face a significant test in his pro career. It's possible Algieri could provide the push Spence has yet to see. While Spence doesn't appear to be taking Algieri lightly, he still seems confident that he'll capture his 20th win and move closer to a title shot at 147 pounds.
Per Premier Boxing Champions, Spence said:
"This is a huge opportunity for me, to be this young and early in my career and headlining a prime-time event, just the exposure alone. Chris Algieri has been in the ring with Amir Khan, Manny Pacquiao and Ruslan Provodnikov, and he’s a former world champ. This is a big fight for me and a step up, but I plan to rise to the occasion. I’m going to handle him like I’ve handled all of my past opponents.
"
If Spence wins, it's hard to imagine his not receiving a shot at one of the 147-pound titleholders in the PBC family.
Algieri Outpoints Bone
After losing back-to-back unanimous decisions to Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan, Algieri rebounded with his own decisive win over Erick Bone in December 2015. Algieri scored a unanimous-decision victory over him to help set up this shot at Spence.
Speed and footwork are the calling cards of the 32-year-old former kickboxer. His modest KO total is indicative of his lack of punching power. Thus he's forced to outbox his opponents while avoiding big shots.
The approach worked against Bone, but Spence is a different animal.
Prediction
The statistic profile from BoxStat.co shows Spence has an advantage in almost every category, and the real-life action should match the numbers:
Algieri might give Spence a few looks early that he hasn't seen, but he doesn't have the power to keep the Desoto, Texas, native off him. Spence's quickness will also make it more difficult for Algieri to fight at a safe range. Spence is a powerful puncher, but he's also a skilled boxer who won't rush in and abandon his defense the way Provodnikov did.
If he hurts Algieri, he'll cut off the ring and close in for the finish. Because Spence understands the magnitude of the opportunity he has, he won't squander the chance to make a significant statement on national television.
Against an opponent devoid of the firepower to put him in danger, Spence will use controlled aggression to win by fifth-round TKO.
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