When November 22 rolls around, you, Chris Algieri, will likely be a massive underdog against the defending WBO welterweight champion, Manny Pacquiao. Here I will outline a short list of items to keep in mind when facing Pacquiao in what will definitely be the most massive event of your entire life – Thank me later.
8 – Years ago, Manny Pacquiao had knockout power in both hands, luckily for you, times are different and his super powers have eroded to a slightly lesser potent version of themselves.
Keep the right hand up to guard that crazy eye of yours. If you get lax with the kind of offensive whirlwind Pacquiao is likely to bring, then this time you will be taking twice as many Instagram pics of your fucked up eyes throughout the many stages of the healing process.
7 – Let’s be honest here, many boxing fans think that you lost to the Siberian Rocky, Ruslan Provodnikov in your last outing. The most important thing you can do to earn some respect in front of a largely pro-Pacquiao viewing audience is to hurt the Pac Man.
If you can put a good two to three minutes of solid work in a round against the great Pinoy pugilist, your effort won’t be forgotten. Furthermore, you will have a much better chance at getting the nod on the one judge’s scorecard that isn’t paid off.
With a good, honest effort you could alter the popular perspective that you are the guy who allegedly got the Pacquiao gift fight because Provodnikov’s Top Rank options were up for renegotiation making you a much cheaper and safer solution…
6 – The strategy of using a full on retreat was an asset for you against Provodnikov, but the Filipino congressman’s footwork and hand speed are far superior to the best back-footed assault you’ll be able to conjure.
Try to steer the southpaw into your right hand. Let Manny think that you are falling into his game by going (in “tactical retreat”, obviously) the direction he turns you – then surprise him by suddenly reversing the direction and walking him into your straight right. You had a modicum of success with the right hand in your last fight, so be sure to keep this as a constant strategy.
5 – Next, take a second and try to time an overly confident Pacquiao. He’ll be reading the press, at least his team will be, and you can guess that they may feel that you’re a soft touch in comparison to what they were expecting – Use this to your advantage and try this little tip: When Manny Pacquiao is double jabbing then following up with a straight left hand, time it with your right hand…Yes, exactly like Juan Manuel Marquez did. You can do it…
4 – Beware the left hand. Both times you hit the deck against the Russian, it was his left hook that issued the brunt of the damage…
3 – Avoid letting the Filipino get inside on you. When you realize how quickly Manny Pacquiao can close the distance between you two and get inside your most effective range, then you’re going look a lot like Oscar De La Hoya did after taking a hugely one-sided ass pounding versus the Filipino icon. Make sure to keep your distance.
2 – If deep down you know that you got lucky to get this fight, you need to keep 100% positive. At risk of sounding like some evangelistic “The Secret” peddling douche, a proper mentality will help keep you from fighting in a negative, cringe-inducing style. Don’t be afraid of what can happen if and when your defense lets you down, seize the opportunity and fear nothing.
1 – You have your fans, Chris. Give them something to talk about next week and submit a great performance against a living legend. Even if you lose – even if you get embarrassed – you will be judged on how well you fought until that moment.
Even in Manny Pacquiao’s shocking knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez, most people remember that he was doing serious work before going to sleep. Take what you’ve learned from your big victory and try to apply it to your biggest moment.
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