Manny Pacquiao’s opponent in November could become the next Oscar De La Hoya if he topples the Filipino legend.
American Chris Algieri (20-0, 8 KOs) is set to face Pacman on November 22.
“We have never had, in my time in boxing, anybody like a Chris Algieri,” promoter Bob Arum told the New York Daily News. “This kid is mentally so tough that he’s going to present a real puzzle for Manny.”
“I think with his looks, background, the sky is the limit for him,” added promoter Joe DeGuardia. “If he wins, you’re looking at another Oscar De La Hoya.”
While many believe that Pacquiao will triumph over his larger foe, some do think that Algieri has serious shot at an upset.
“After I beat Manny,” Algieri said, “I'll have a lot more pull and juice in the negotiations.”
“I’m going to set a wicked pace,” Algieri added to the New York Post. “I’m going to box smartly. I going to put pressure and be in his face all night along and I’m going to dominate down the stretch.”
Added Arum, “If he hadn’t beaten Provodnikov the way he did, we wouldn’t be talking about him. He earned his way to the dance. That being said, he’s very, very unique in the sport of boxing because of his education and how he uses his smarts when he performs athletically. Anybody who says the fight between Pacquiao and Algieri will be a blowout doesn’t know what they’re talking about. Algieri is going to present a real puzzle for Manny.”
