The place is Macau. A PPV perceived mismatch eerily similar to Manny’s last trip in China. Will Pacquiao pick up where he left off last November when he white-washed face-first mauler Brandon Rios? Or will the upstart Chris Algieri do the unthinkable halfway across the globe?
Bob Arum continues his eastern experiment establishing the sport we love to hate in the Communist Republic of China. Top Rank’s fearless leader is banking on the billion plus eyeballs he can attract to the tube and a live streaming PPV. Zou Shiming and Manny Pacquaio lead the charge of taken China by storm. The process has provided opportunities on the PPV undercard and more importantly given unheralded fighters an outlet to showcase their talents on HBO 2. All from the Venetian hotel and casino site-fee that fattens Bob’s bottom line.
In a year of oversaturated pay-per-views this fight can be added to the batch of overpriced, underwhelming cards. Whether you’re on the bandwagon or boycotting this event, we can all agree that in 2015 something has to give.
Now that we’ve covered the business of boxing lets step between the ropes and breakdown this HBO PPV. Chris Algieri started 2014 at the TV entry level of Espn2 Friday Night Fights in an entertaining scrap against Emmanuel Taylor. A mid-summers dream came true for the fighter know as the “Real Life Rocky”, when he came off the deck to beat Ruslan Provodnikov at the Barclays Center.
Which brings us to Saturday night in the States, and what will high-noon on Sunday in China when Algieri challenges 1st ballot hall of famer Manny Pacquiao for his welterweight belt. If victorious it will be his second belt collected in as many fights.
Just how much of a chance does this heavy underdog from Long Island really have? The proof will be in the pudding but I’m calling for Algieri to trouble Manny in the early goings. I won’t spend time going over the Pacman’s style or well known history. Instead the focus will be on Chris and what he will have to do in his quest to become an overnight superstar.
The advantage in height is as good as any place to start to give us traction for an Algieri upset. The Long Islanders jab is stiff and quick. It should be aimed not just to the head. Jabs to the chest and stomach will help pileup points and slow down his opponent. Constant activity in the form of potshots and combinations will be needed to make up for lack of punching power.
Both feet and upper body movement will be another key to victory. Mixing up his movement patterns will be his best chance to muddle up the aggressor’s gameplan. His right hand, and sneaky short uppercut, that looks like a hook to the body coming off his shoulder, could catch Manny on the way inside.
It will be interesting to see if Algieri has enough pop to keep Pacquiao at bay. Algieri snapped Ruslan’s neck back throughout the night but wasn’t able to keep the Siberian freight train off of him. He stopped him in his tracks and frustrated the 140-pound champ, but never could quite keep himself from being walked to the ropes.
That’s the danger zone for Algieri, who has a bad habit of putting on the earmuffs on the ropes, a death sentence versus the Filipino speedster. Speaking of the quick-handed, eight-weight class champion, aggression is they only trait that he and Provonidkov have in common. That and Freddie Roach in both fighter corner. Pacquaio is not a slow footed, robotic puncher like Ruslan.
There is one weakness that sticks out like a sore thumb and that’s Manny mindset. Even before being KO in his fourth fight with Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao’s fame, riches, and political aspirations created a soft spot of sorts when it comes to how much hunger remains in him to be an elite fighter. If Manny isn’t all in than he could get out-boxed and out-hustled by a more focused fighter.
Algieri has to put on a clinic from ding-to-dong or score a knockdown or two, if he has any hopes of bringing the welterweight strap back to the states. Chris has heart and truly believes in himself even if no one outside of his camp does. His grit and skill will trouble Manny early and often. At some point Manny will land flush swinging the momentum and style of this fight in his favor.
I see this as a two-way fight that will be more exciting than any of Pacman’s bouts over the last few years. Maybe Manny was shooting too many jumpers and burning both sides of the candle causing major distractions in camp. If that’s the case he could look sloppy and be arm-weary in the championship rounds.
As slick as he has shown to be, Algieri isn’t a true counter-puncher and because of that he will come up short in a good effort.
My official prediction is Manny Pacquiao by late TKO stoppage or Unanimous Decision.
Written by Chris Carlson Owner and Host of Rope A Dope Radio blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio Follow on Twitter @Ropeadoperadio
