Manny Pacquiao Next Fight Rumors: Champ Calls Challenger Chris Algieri Just an 'Okay Fighter'
Filipino boxing legend Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao (56-5-2) is slated to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt against the undefeated former kickboxer Chris Algieri (20-0) of the U.S. on Nov. 23, this year. Pacquiao, who will be turning 36 this December, will once again set foot in the Chinese gambling capital of Macau for the fight.
In recent interviews, the 30-year-old challenger from Huntington, New York expressed his admiration to the works of the eight-division world champion, calling him a living legend and future Hall of Famer. In all confidence, Algieri however remarked that it's time for the old to make way for the new.
"What he's done in the sport is incredible, but it's time for a new era. It's time for new faces, the time is now and I'm ready to take it," he said.
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He further added that it has been a dream for him to prove his worth against a world-renowned fighter in the person of Pacquiao.
"This is what I want. This is what I've wanted for a long time," Algieri explained.
The undefeated challenger was able to get the chance when he nabbed the WBO light welterweight title in a split-decision against the Russian Ruslan Provodnikov, a result of which Pacquiao commented as a rather weak win.
"I saw his fight with Ruslan. He took a lot of bad punches from Ruslan but he's tough," he said at a press conference held to announce the November card fight. "He can box. I'm not saying he's really good but he's not bad. He's OK."
The fighters were last seen in Macau for the first leg of their six-city promotional tour. Next stop for both camps will be on Shanghai, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York.
