In June, Chris Algieri rose from three first round knockdowns, endured a bloody nose and a right eye that was reduced to a slit en route to a disputed split decision victory over Ruslan Provodnikov for the WBO junior welterweight title.

On Nov. 22, Algieri (20-0, 8 knockouts) will rise in weight to challenge WBO welterweight beltholder Manny Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 KOs) at the Venetian Macao in Macao, China, where Pacquiao unanimously decisioned Brandon Rios in his last fight in November.

“It is a real honor to fight a future Hall-of-Famer like Manny Pacquiao and I am looking forward to being introduced to a whole new market and fan base in the Far East,” said Algieri, 30, who will be fighting in Asia for the first time.

“My last fight against Ruslan Provodnikov got the world’s attention. Now I am going to show what I can really do. I have the utmost respect for Manny and his great team but make no mistake; I am here to win and I have nothing on my mind but beating a legend.”

Pacquiao and Algieri have embarked on an estimated 27,273-mile media tour comprised of stops in China, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York. The tour began on Monday at the Venetian Macao and will continue on Tuesday in Shanghai.

“The battle between the two world champions will be a fantastic fight,” said Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank Promotions. “Manny’s nonstop attack style will be challenged by Algieri’s laser-like punching.”

The fight against Pacquiao represents the third bout of the year for Algieri, who unanimously decisioned Emmanuel Taylor in February at the Paramount Theatre in Algieri’s hometown of Huntington, N.Y.

“It has been a great year. In February, we had Chris at the Paramount on ESPN, in June on HBO winning the world championship at Barclays Center in dramatic fashion against the feared Ruslan Prodvodnikov,” said Joe DeGuardia, Algieri’s promoter and president of Star Boxing.

“Now we are excited to announce that he will be at the Venetian Macao against legendary Manny Pacquiao on HBO Pay-Per-View. It has been an unprecedented meteoric rise that will continue on Nov. 22. I look forward to this intriguing and landscape-changing fight.”

Pacquiao, 35, was last in action in April, dethroning Tim Bradley by unanimous decision to regain the belt he lost by split decision to Bradley in June 2012.

Pacquiao will be looking for his third straight win against Algieri, who has earned the respect of Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach.

“I underestimated Algieri when he faced Ruslan Provodnikov in June but I won’t make that mistake again. I hope he understands that this is a fight and not a marathon,” said Roach, a six-time “Trainer of the Year.”

“Algieri is going to face the best of Manny Pacquiao because Manny is going to have his toughest training camp ever. I am looking forward to a great fight and Manny’s finest hour on Nov. 22.”

Algieri is a clinical nutritionist who works with private clients, has a bachelor’s degree in healthcare science from Stony Brook (New York) University and has a master’s degree from the New York Institute of Technology.

“Chris Algieri fought an exceptional fight in June to win the world title from Ruslan Provodnikov. I am impressed and intrigued by his scientific approach to training and boxing. He may be the smartest and the fittest athlete I have ever faced,” said Pacquiao.

“That makes him the most dangerous. I worked hard to reclaim my welterweight title and I will work harder to make sure I keep it on November 22. As always, I dedicate this fight to my fellow Filipinos around the world and to bring glory to the Philippines.”

Algieri will go from making a career-high $100,000 for his triumph over Provodnikov to a guarantee that exceeds $1 million for the Pacquiao fight. Algieri will also get a percentage of the pay-per-view revenue.

“Over the past 14 years, I have trained and watched Chris become a master of the art of boxing. His hard work ethic, discipline and dedication are second to none. Chris has been in the gym since after only one week off from his last bout with New York trainers Keith Trimble, Dr. Mike Camp and Tony Ricci,” said Tim Lane, Algieri’s trainer.

“They have kept him in great shape through the years and continue to help him get stronger and faster between and during all camps. Training camp will officially start in late September in New York and finish in Las Vegas before leaving for China. Let it be known there is a new era in the world of boxing and on Nov. 22, Chris Algieri will once again shock the world and become the new WBO welterweight champion.”

Note: Quotes provided via press release

The itinerary is as follows:

Friday, August 29, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Media Day with the San Francisco Giants, AT&T Park in San Francisco

Saturday, August 30

Private Event, the Venetian Las Vegas

Monday, Sept. 1 4, p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Los Angeles Dodger Stadium, Manny Pacquiao throws out the first pitch for Dodgers vs. Nationals.

Wednesday, Sept. 3, 11 a.m.

Los Angeles Press Conference, Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel

Thursday, Sept. 4, 10:30 a.m.
New York Press Conference, Liberty Theater

Thursday, Sept. 4, 4 p.m.
Ringing of the closing bell, New York Stock Exchange

Photo by Naoki Fukuda