MANILA, Philippines - Chris Algieri is going the extra mile as he gears up for the fight of his life against Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 23 at the Venetian Hotel in Macau.
In his official Twitter account, the undefeated pride of Huntington in New York said he sparred 10 four-minute rounds Monday.
“Great week of sparring. Team Algieri is ahead of schedule and feeling super positive,” he said.
Algieri has never faced a boxer the caliber of Pacquiao, and he’s just making sure he will have enough in his tank on fight night.
“I’m feeling strong, fit and smart,” Algieri assured his fans.
His trainer, Tim Lane, told Tha Boxing Voice that with over three weeks left, they are ready for whatever Pacquiao will bring inside the ring.
“He (Algieri) went from 0-100 and he’s ready for Pacquiao,” said Lane.
The fight is set at a catchweight of 144 pounds, and at 5-foot-10 Algieri will definitely come in as the bigger and heavier fighter.
“He’s a huge 140 pounder,” said Lane.
“His best weight is at 144 so right in between 140 and 147, which is where we’re going to meet, which is Chris’ best weight. I don’t know who chose this weight but they chose it perfectly for Chris. The catch weight played into our hands for sure,” he added.
Pacquiao will give up almost three inches in height and maybe a lot more in heft. But he’s faced and beaten bigger foes before or even stronger than Algieri.
Nobody thinks that this fight, which is for Pacquiao’s WBO welterweight crown, will go the distance.
Freddie Roach has almost assured a knockout win for Pacquiao, who hasn’t stopped anybody inside 12 rounds since 2009 against Miguel Cotto.
Even Algieri’s trainer thinks the fight will end in a knockout.
“Chris Algieri will beat Manny Pacquiao November 22nd. He most certainly has a chance of stopping Pacquiao. I don’t expect it to go the distance,” he told Tha Boxing Voice.