Hola amigos y familia, welcome to a seared foie gras scented episode of Panama’s highest rated, most money-spinning proper pugilistic paper, The Sunday Brunch – We are boxing’s equivalent of the bullshit detector, gaydar and the young Earth creationists debunking kit all wrapped up into one easy-to-swallow dinosaur shaped pill. This week we’re talking about Manny Pacquiao, people. We are going to cuss’ and discuss Chris Algieri’s realistic chances at a win and we’re asking the burning questions that YOU as boxing fans need to know (along with a very interesting, but completely unrelated quote from former world champion, Paul “The Punisher” Williams”) . With that being said, I gave you your instructions in the dressing room; what I say you must obey – Cuidate, escucha me, toca los manos y buena suerte…Let’s get it on!
“There’s an old saying in boxing, when you see the sawdust, the mill is not far away” – Virgil Hunter
While Chris Algieri and his “Algerians” may be calling the November 22 showdown in Macau, China the ‘Chris Algieri Show’, this bout is very much all about Manny Pacquiao. Just two fights and two short years removed from the career altering face plant he suffered at the (right) hands of Juan Manuel Marquez, the Filipino icon finds himself in an interesting position.
As an obvious favorite (-900/+500) against a relatively unknown fighter, Pacquiao has to look impressive in dispatching the 30 year-old New Yorker to avoid the inevitable “he’s past it” chants from jaded casual fans and obtuse sports bloggers.
On the other hand, a poor showing – or worse yet – a loss would all but ensure Pacquiao is relegated to fighting in Chinese resorts for the remainder of his career. Now, tax-wise, this is a positive for the fighting congressman, but Pacquiao cut his teeth in America, delighting fans and producing high-end boxing since 2001 – The U.S. boxing contingent deserves to see the great Manny Pacquiao fight stateside again before it’s all is said and done.
On HBO’s recent Under The Lights with Max Kellerman, the long-time in-ring interviewer spoke about Chris Algieri’s ‘right’ to be sharing a ring with one of the best fighters of this or any generation.
“…Algieri’s earned this shot. You know…Beat Emmanuel Taylor, who we just saw against Broner – He’s a good fighter and Algieri beat him – came into that fight as the underdog and beat him fair and square. Provodnikov, it’s a close, tough fight, but got up of the deck early – from a beating. Got up and fought a disciplined fight, controlled the rest of the fight and won the fight – He’s earned this fight against Pacquiao…He wasn’t handed this opportunity, he had to earn it.”
Quite an interesting spin HBO is shooting for in selling this fight.
Many in the media and some dedicated boxing fans alike felt that Chris Algieri’s negetaive performance against Russian former junior welterweight titlist, Ruslan Provodnikov was not quite enough to take the belt from a defending champion.
There were, of course, outside factors that likely nudged that decision in his favor. As previously reported on by The Boxing Tribune (in an excellent piece that I suggest you read now), ahead of the Provodnikov-Algieri fight, the then promoter for both boxers, Bob Arum was quoted as saying “The fight that I’m going to try and zero in on and put together is Pacquiao vs. Algieri, after Chris beats Provodnikov on June 14th.”
Before the Provodnikov-Algieri bout was to take place, Bob Arum publicly stated several times that Algieri would be a good opponent for Manny Pacquiao. Also quite interesting, following the aforementioned clash, Arum had no further options on the Russian’s future – A very convenient confluence of events if you ask me.
As mentioned HERE by the Tribune’s RPG weilding leader, Paul Magno, headline stories about the November 22 bout changed in a heartbeat to reflect Top Rank propaganda.
The articles and dubius quotes were kept mostly to mainstream sports websites as opposed to lesser-known boxing-centric sites that actually fuel the common fight fan and boost the sport from within.
Why are the brass at Top Rank (and HBO) perpetuating a WWE-esque storyline for this bout?
Why are they specifically pandering to a different audience for this matchup?
Does Chris Algieri REALLY have a shot in hell at doing anything other than retreating into the ropes until the Filipino fireball sufficiently pulverizes his face?
If Manny Pacquiao loses again, will fans still be clammoring for the Mayweather- Pacquiao mega fight?
If a New Yorker falls in the middle of China, will anyone see it?
Did Chris Algieri read my Top 8 Things He Needs To Do To Defeat Manny Pacquiao?
Did you?
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When asked whether he thought Antonio Margarito used loaded gloves against him in their July, 2007 bout, on his official Facebook page, Paul “The Punisher” Williams responded “YEAH!! It felt like he was punching me with steel…LMAO…But 4real”
Thanks for joining us again this week. We’ll be back shortly with our review of the clash from Macau. Don’t forget to tune into The Boxing Tribune’s zombie survival podcast “Left Hook to the Brain” – Also, check out AMC’s The Walking Dead tonight to see if Abraham really killed Eugene. Also, will Carrol help Beth escape the hospital? Will Darryl lend an assist? Did Noah find Rick’s group and is that the mystery character Darryl leads out of the woods? Email me with your theories at JESSEBOXINGTRIBUNE@GMAIL.COM or pretend we know each other “IRL” @JESSEBOXING. Until next time, sante!
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