MANILA, Philippines - Maghahanap si Chris Algieri ng extra motivation sa kanyang pagsagupa kay Manny Pacquiao kung tuluyan nang tanggalan ang undefeated American ng kanyang WBO junior welterweight crown.
Lalabanan ni Algieri si Pacquiao para sa suot na WBO welterweight title ng Filipino superstar sa Nov. 23 sa Macau.
Itinakda ang nasabing laban at inisip na hindi maaapektuhan ang hawak na 140-pound title ni Algieri kung matatalo siya kay Pacquiao para patuloy na isuot ang WBO junior welterweight belt.
Ngunit sa nakaraang WBO convention sa Las Vegas, inihayag ng boxing body na dapat alisin kay Algieri ang suot nitong light welterweight title dahil sa kanyang pagsagupa kay Pacquiao sa catchweight na 144 pounds.
“From what we just found out, Chris won’t be able to keep his title because he’s going to be competing above the junior welterweight limit on November 22 against Manny Pacquiao,” sabi ng promoter ni Algieri na si Artie Pelullo ng Banner Promotions.
Si Algieri ay co-promoter din ni Joe DeGuardia ng Star Boxing.
“This was news to both myself and my partner Joe DeGuardia. I think Joe has plans to deal with this issue concerning Chris and WBO,” wika ni Pelullo sa Fight Saga article.
“We were stunned when we heard the news. We’re going to have to get this cleared up. Because it was my understanding that this fight wouldn’t affect Chris’ championship status at junior welterweight,” ani pa ni DeGuardia.
“Chris was going into this fight as the WBO junior welterweight champion and Manny as the WBO welterweight champion, and they would be competing for Pacquiao’s 147 pound title with the understanding that this fight wouldn’t be of any consequence to Chris’ 140 pound title,” dagdag pa nito.
Nasa kanyang maigting na pagsasanay ngayon si Algieri, nangakong dodominahin si Pacquiao sa bawat round.
Kahapon ay nag-post si Algieri sa kanyang Twitter ng ulam niyang steak at sinabing handa na siya para sa “another great week of hard training.”
Gutom din si Algieri para sa korona ni Pacquiao.