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Chris Algieri sparred Zab Judah in preparation for Manny Pacquiao

Fighters Network
17
Nov

Undefeated junior welterweight titlist Chris Algieri employed former undisputed welterweight champion Zab Judah among his sparring partners in preparation for Saturday’s 144-pound catchweight battle with WBO welterweight titleholder Manny Pacquiao in Macau, China.

A rising WBO 140-pound beltholder, Algieri (20-0, 8 knockouts) will challenge for the WBO 147-pound title owned by Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 KOs), who represents the eighth southpaw Algieri will have faced as a professional.

Algieri, 30, is encouraged by his history with left-handers even as he has acknowledged Pacquiao’s abilities to be more unique than any of the others. Having won titles at junior welterweight and welterweight, Judah is also a southpaw.

“I worked hard for over 10 weeks in the most strenuous and productive training camp of my career,” said Algieri, who arrived in Macau on Sunday.



“I had a lot of different sparring partners, including Zab Judah, giving me different looks to prepare me for anything Pacquiao decides to throw at me. I am 110 percent prepared for our fight.”

Algieri will face Pacquiao at the Cotai Arena at the Venetian Macao and made a public appearance in the St. Mark’s Square section of the Shoppes at the Venetian on Sunday.

“With one million square feet of retail space and over 350 stores at the Shoppes at Venetian, I think I can get in my daily roadwork and my Christmas shopping all at the same time,” cracked Algieri.

“I love Macau. It was great during my last visit on the promotional tour and it is even better this time. I am glad to be able to spend more time here.”

Algieri was an underdog in his last bout in June, when he overcame a right eye that was nearly closed shut for a dramatic split decision victory that dethroned Ruslan Provodnikov for his title.

Pacquiao, 35, was last in action in April when he dethroned Tim Bradley by unanimous decision to regain the belt he lost in their first meeting in June 2012.

In an earlier interview, Algieri said he planned to neutralize Pacquiao’s speed with well-timed counters.

“It’s timing that beats speed,” said Algieri, who trained in a private gym at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas before going to China. “That’s really what boxing is all about. It’s about rhythm and timing.”

 

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