The main event at the Cotai Arena, Venetian Resort in Macao, China looked like an amicable sparring session. The challenger Chris Algieri climbed the ring with the sole purpose of going the distance at any cost. Pacquiao was the predator in this bout but he did not appear too focused on his foe and fought as if with Mayweather on his mind.
Chris Algieri knew he was way out of his depth although he was two divisions bigger than the champ and reportedly weighed close to the middleweight limit on fight night. His stance was awkward and uncomfortable and he moved as if he was jumping rope in the ring. Apparently he was in great shape because he was able to survive his own footwork and stance for 12 rounds under enormous pressure. He clearly didn’t belong in the same ring with his star opponent and brought a look of amusement to Pacquiao’s face.
There was no tension and little urgency to Pacquiao’s actions as he chased the challenger around the ring and had to run at times to catch up with him. Instead of using his size and reach Algiery squatted and bent forward making himself shorter. He threw tentative shots without extending his arms and his low punch output reflected his reluctance to engage. His main problem was the lack of fluidity and balance to his work, his speed was average at best and he rarely looked like a boxer at all. To his credit he fought very cleanly and made a point of apologizing for even the slightest infraction and Pacman fought like a gentleman as well. Whenever there was a problem he would touch gloves with Algieri who seemed keen on buying time with apologizing for anything including for being in the ring with him.
The first knock down in round 2 was actually a slip, the second and third KD came in round 6 when Pacquiao tried to finish Algieri and put an end the monotonous beating he was administering to him. There was little excitement until the 9th when Algieri was floored two times and he took so many shots that Pacquiao paused and waved at the referee to interfere. The ref wasn’t moved and he allowed it to go on. The 6th KD came in round 10 but Algieri survived it and made it to the end. The scores were 119-103 twice and 120-102.
