World-class boxing coach Freddie Roach says he is not fretting over Manny Pacquiao's next fight against Chris Algieri. In fact, the six time Trainer of the Year awardee is actually very confident that the Filipino boxer will not only dominate the ring, but also, and more impressively, knock out his upcoming opponent.
Roach has expressed his firm belief that Pacquiao will be able to deliver a knockout win over Algieri. "We'll knock him out somewhere along the way," Roach shared in an interview with Tha Boxing Voice. The eagerly awaited match will be held at the Venetian Casino and Resort in Macau on November 22. The fight will be Pacquiao's World Boxing Organization welterweight defense.
Inasmuch as this news has remarkably thrilled fans of the boxers, many still question why Algieri was chosen as Pacquiao's next opponent. In fact, even Roach was shocked by this decision made by Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum. "You have to ask Bob," Roach disclosed. "I have no idea why he picked that guy. He told me that he beat Ruslan, and he's a good fight for Manny and that was it."
According to reports, Arum chose the American boxer after scoring a split decision victory against Ruslan Provodnikov in June. This win by Algieri granted him a shot at fighting for the welterweight title.
Apart from Roach, English boxer Amir Iqbal Khan also found this decision questionable. "I got my team to speak to Bob Arum and we got nothing back, and they went with Algieri," Khan shared. "He's a nobody. Well, he's not a nobody. You've got to respect him but he's not a big name, and if Manny Pacquiao wanted to make big money in boxing, he needs to fight big names," he added.
In his defense, Algieri insists he deserves this fight. "At the end of the day, I know I proved to be where I am and that I should be here," he shared in an interview with Boxing Scene. "I'm not here just for a payday. I'm not here just to fight Manny Pacquiao," he added.
"I'm coming to win this fight and I'm going to be fully prepared on fight night. Anyone who is looking past that fact doesn't know me and doesn't know anything about me, and that I belong to be here," Algieri declared. To back his convictions, the American boxer has a perfect 20-0 record with eight knockouts. In addition, Algieri has been known to have accurate and precise piston-like jab. His style and height advantage may pose problems for Pacquiao, according to some fans.
Roach, however, dismisses these concerns. "No it should be no problem for Pacquiao. It's like night and day. He's way above him," the 54-year-old trainer said.
Despite the confidence in Pacquiao's ability to win the match, Roach shared that he will train the boxer as hard as before. Pacquiao is set to engage in a five-week camp in the Philippines, afterwhich he will be moving to Macau for a weeklong training.
