When Pacquiao faces against Chris Algieri, he willl face an undefeated but still largely unproven fighter. Algieri, coming into the bout on the back of his career best win, an extremely close contest with Provodnikov, has never fought beyond his hometown of NY. Pacquiao has been the favorite for both of his bouts since returning from KO defeat to JMM though never has his perceived superiority been so overwhelming as it is prior to this latest offering. Is there any chance that he may lose this fight? If so, how would that happen, and what would his defeat mean for his career, and for the sport?
I don't see him losing but it could happen. This is boxing. Anything can happen. One way it could and the most likely way it could happen is if Manny continues to fight too tentatively and lets Algeiri set the pace and use his jab to win rounds.
Via decision ala bradley robbery. Algieri wins 2 or 3 rounds but judges were rigged to score it for him.
Algieri has a better chance than Rios has, which was none. But I still expect Pacquiao to cruise to a comfortable UD, hurting Algieri multiple times while never getting visibly buzzed himself. It would mean an end for Pacquiao dominance against top world class opponents. He'd be off the P4P list as losing to Algieri would mean losing for the third time in five/six fights. I really don't see what Algieri has going for him other than sharp IQ, from what we can tell. The height difference is being over exaggerated because Algieri doesn't really "fight tall" as many think just because he jabs often and has the dimensions. He hunches quite a bit. His reach is only really a factor for his jab as his hooks and uppercuts are usually thrown while leaning to one side or another and connecting on counters where his opponents aren't "at the end of the punch." I scored the Algieri/Provodnikov fight to Algieri, but all polls at the time indicated that >50% of posters thought Provodnikov won. I have no clue how those people can see Pacquiao/Algieri as an even remotely interesting fight or one warranted from a top P4P fighter.
Pac is a MASSIVE favorite for an abundance of reasons and one of those reasons is the fact that Macau has no athletic commission. This fight is signed, sealed, and delivered to Pac on a silver platter. All he has to do is show up. Algieri will be enrolled in med school by spring. BOYCOTT THIS FIGHT!!!!!!
