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Chris Algieri to Manny Pacquiao: ‘Come and try to get me’

Fighters Network
18
Nov
Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank

Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank

Chris Algieri seems to be getting bolder as Saturday’s fight against Manny Pacquiao gets closer.

An undefeated junior welterweight titlist who, among other things, employed former undisputed welterweight champion Zab Judah among his sparring partners, Algieri said he plans to use his “jab, range, timing and rhythm” to dethrone Pacquiao as WBO welterweight titleholder on Saturday at the Cotai Arena Arena at the Venetian Macao in Macau, China.

“Now they tell me Manny has his killer instinct back. Well, come and try to get me,” said Algieri during a Monday workout at the Venetian Macao Gym a day after his arrival. “I’m where Manny used to be. Look where he came from, out of nowhere to become a boxing legend.”

Algieri (20-0, 8 knockouts) will be facing a southpaw for the eighth time in Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 KOs), who stands 5-foot-6.5 to Algieri’s nearly 5-11.



“We are going in with a smart strategy. Timing and rhythm beats speed. This is a battle of wits and smartness,” said Algieri.

“This is like a battle of high stakes chess but with a lot of punches…We’re not worried about what Manny will be doing in the fight. He should be concerned about what we’re going to be doing.”

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.

Algieri cited workouts with his trainer, Tim Lane, a 5-6 left-hander, with having further helped him to prepare for facing Pacquiao.

“When Bradley boxed, he actually did well and won rounds. When he stood there and tried to knock Manny out, he obviously had trouble. Also, Tim is 5-foot-6, and I’m 5-foot-11. I understand range and how important range and how important that is. So we’re going to go out there and fight at the appropriate range,” said Algieri.

“I’m not going to say that I’m going to stay at long range the whole time because I can fight on the inside as well. But I need to be at the appropriate range and to dictate when and where we do that…They keep talking about the fact that he’s fought tall guys and everyone’s talking about the height, the height, the height. But the height is not going to be the thing. It’s going to be my athleticism. That’s the difference.”

 

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