Algieri aims to out-think Manny

Chris Algieri plans to turn his duel with Manny Pacquiao at the Cotai Arena in the Venetian Resort Macau on Nov. 23 into a tactical bout and use his intelligence to outsmart the defending WBO welterweight champion.

Algieri, 30, is Pacquiao’s first opponent with a Master’s degree which he earned in Health Care Science at the New York Institute of Technology. “My brain is my best and worst (attribute),” he told Paul Wheeler in Boxing News. “My style is based on out-thinking my opponent but I also feel that I miss certain opportunities by over-thinking. Mentally, sticking to a specific game plan is very difficult.”

In the ring, a smart fighter with guile could enjoy an advantage but brain power usually takes a backseat to punching power. Once an intelligent fighter is shaken up, he resorts to his survival instincts and IQ goes out the window. So Algieri’s resume could be impressive in terms of educational attainment but when it comes to fighting, academics are irrelevant.

What brought Algieri to the global spotlight was his win by a split decision over Russia’s Ruslan Provodnikov to wrest the WBO lightwelterweight crown in New York last June 14. He got up from two knockdowns in the first round and battled back to raise his record to 20-0, with 8 KOs. Algieri displayed toughness and grit in brushing off a shut right eye to gain the nod of two of the three judges.

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Algieri proved that brains can overcome brawn in outworking Provodnikov to win eight of the last 11 rounds on two judges’ scorecards. The 5-10 stylist knew Provodnikov is most dangerous in a toe-to-toe slugfest so he controlled the action with his jab and boxed from a distance. Provodnikov tired out chasing Algieri around the ring and missing haymakers. The Russian tried to cut the ring off on Algieri but wasn’t quick enough to block his path. Algieri’s 72-inch reach was another problem that haunted Provodnikov.

“I did not plan to box Provodnikov for the whole fight,” said Algieri quoted by Jack Hirsch. “The eye altered the plan. I would have stayed in the pocket more if not for the eye. I beat him with my plan B.” Hirsch said Algieri has shown the ability to mix it up, too, but not against the Russian. “There have been fights where Algieri fought extensively in the trenches throwing an abundance of punches,” said Hirsch. “His conditioning and energy levels are something few can match.”

Against Pacquiao, Algieri is expected to repeat what he did to Provodnikov. The difference is Pacquiao won’t be as obliging and cooperative as the Russian. Pacquiao will be wise to Algieri’s tricks. He’s four inches shorter and Algieri’s wingspan is three inches wider. But Pacquiao is quicker and stronger than any fighter whom Algieri has faced. Pacquiao is a volume puncher and puts a lot of pressure on his opponent, something that Algieri may find difficult to cope with.

Algieri never boxed as an amateur and his first boxing match was his pro debut in 2008. Before turning to boxing, he was an unbeaten world kickboxing champion. He has a background in Chinese Kenpo, full-contact kickboxing and wrestling. Algieri was introduced to the martial arts by Robert Mauro at the age of 10 and when he was 19, decided to turn pro as a kickboxer.

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Algieri may be miscast as a fighter because he looks more like a movie star with his good looks. He once said he acts as well as he boxes. His grandfather, a fan of the legendary Alexis Arguello, wanted him to be a doctor, not a fighter. Algieri said his dream job is to be a doctor and he likes to cook and draw. If not for boxing, he would’ve liked to turn pro in tennis or soccer.  Maybe, Pacquiao will convince Algieri to consider another profession.

Algieri could be in for the shock of his life when he enters the ring to engage Pacquiao. He has never fought outside New York and for sure, the glitz and bright lights of Macau will be in his eyes. Algieri has been promised a paycheck of at least $1 Million, the biggest in his career, and if pay-per-view sales are healthy, he stands to earn a share of the upside. The most Algieri has pocketed from a fight was $100,000 in battling Provodnikov.

Algieri’s physical condition will be a source of strength. “My trainer (Tim Lane) knows I have to be careful not to overwork myself because I’m a hard worker and I have lofty goals,” he said. If Pacquiao isn’t in tip-top shape, he could find himself in some trouble because Algieri’s pace will be consistent throughout the fight.

Algieri said he respects Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach but the Hall of Famer couldn’t save Provodnikov, whose corner he worked, from losing. “My style is wrong for Pacquiao,” he said. “He likes to dart in and out, picking his spots. He does better with guys who move forward and cover up. They are tailor-made for him. Pacquiao was phenomenal at 126 pounds but lost something when he moved up in weight although you have to give him credit for staying on top for so long.”