Photo: Naoki Fukuda

The “Pride of Huntington” really does have a lot of pride.

Chris Algieri still thinks of himself as a world champion in waiting. So when it was suggested to Algieri that he is assuming a gatekeeper role for his welterweight fight with uber-prospect Errol Spence Jr. April 16 at Barclays Center, Algieri responded with not anger because Algieri is nothing if not composed. But he was not pleased with the question.

“Excuse me one second, I’m just going to shoot this down really fast,” he said as the question lingered in the air for a few moments. And he did, predicting a win against a boxer who Algieri doesn’t think is in the same class as him. The bout will headline a Premier Boxing Champions on NBC primetime tripleheader (8:30 p.m. ET) in Brooklyn.

“I think it’s completely unwarranted because Spence hasn’t fought anyone,” Algieri said of the caretaker role following a press conference on Wednesday to hype the fight. “I don’t think he’s fought a guy who’s actually tried to win yet. So to put me as a gatekeeper versus someone who is untested in a real fight- I think it’s not even worth talking about.”

Algieri, a former junior welterweight titleholder, was just warming up to the subject. The 28-year-old took aim at Spence’s resume and the caliber of fighters he’s faced so far. Spence turned pro in 2012 after participating for the U.S. Olympic team in London, where he reached the quarterfinals. Though Spence (19-0, 16 knockouts) is highly regarded, he has yet to face any of the top welterweights. Meanwhile, Algieri (21-2, 8 KOs) has names like Amir Khan (close loss), Manny Pacquiao (loss) and Ruslan Provodnikov (close win) on his resume- experience that he says will serve him well against Spence.

“Technically the kid is sound but he’s done it against guys who were tailor-made to sit right in front of him and get beat up,” Algieri said. “He hasn’t fought a guy with footwork. He hasn’ fought a guy who can box yet. He hasn’t fought a guy who can punch yet. He hasn’t fought a guy with experience yet. Like I said, he hasn’t fought many guys that were even in there to win. So it’s going to be a really eye-opening experience for him and for I think a lot of people on April 16.”

Quiet and polite, Spence, 26, was respectful of Algieri’s resume, but he also predicted the type of performance that could vault him toward a title shot.

“I don’t think he’s a gatekeeper at all because he’s still in his prime,” Spence said. “But he’s definitely a guy that I can make my name off of because I’m new in the game. I only turned pro three years ago and I’m looking to make a name for myself and he has a bigger name than me as far as the boxing world. He’s fought the bigger names. So I’m just looking to beat him and hopefully this will take me to a fight for a world title.”

One of the more discerning and intuitive boxers in the sport, Algieri further detailed some of the challenges that await Spence in their fight- the added media responsibilities, the higher expectations, managing the emotions as a boxer makes his way to the ring. Algieri even noted that Spence looked nervous as he spoke during the press conference on Wednesday in what seemed like a well-timed attempt to unnerve his opponent.

“I know what it’s like to walk to the ring for a big fight,” Algieri said. “I know what it’s like sitting around and doing those interviews and going up there- you’re going to tell me he wasn’t nervous up there (talking during the press conference)? No, he’s never done this before. I’ve been there, too. I know exactly where he’s been. When I fought Ruslan Provodnikov, I was going from ESPN to an HBO main event. Yeah, I’ve been there. What happens when those lights are on you, you’re under a microscope. I’ve been there. I know how I perform. He doesn’t know that. So that doubt is going to be there no matter what. Whether he steps up to the plate and performs great or crumbles, only time will tell.”

Spence seemed confident he will be able to handle it all. “The is the perfect fight for me at this point in my career,” he said. “I know it’s going to be a tough fight but I can’t wait to show everyone what I can do on April 16.”