by Ronnie Nathanielsz

The planned WBO welterweight title defense of Manny Pacquiao against WBO light welterweight champion Chris Algieri is being finalized for November 22 at the Cotai Arena of the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino in Macau.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard/Viva Sports

“Everything is being finalized. I even talked to Manny this morning (Tuesday in Mania) and everything is fine.”

Arum indicated that  Algieri and his promoter “had a little dispute as to who got what from what we offered but I think they  are getting that resolved tomorrow and then it will be full speed ahead.”

The astute promoter told us "Manny is fine with Algieri who is a very good boxer” and is coming off a twelve round split decision win over former Pacquiao sparring partner Ruslan Provodnikov last June 14 despite being dropped twice in the opening round and fighting with his riught eye almost shut over the last few rounds.

Judges Don Trella and Tom Schreck scored the fight for Algieri 114-112 while the third judge Max DeLuca had Provodnikov the winner by a lopsided 117-109.

Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach criticized the decision claiming Algieri ran from a fight even though the punch stats showed Algieri landed more punches although Provodnikov connected with the more telling blows.

Arum said that Pacquiao had watched Algieri’s last fight against Provodnikov and remarked that the American was “a good boxer but Manny thinks he can handle him.”

He said Pacquiao predicted “a very good fight” and that he likes the fact that Algieri is  college educated and someone who seems like a very nice young man.