By Jake Donovan

Chris Algieri plans to be a doctor one day. He’s smart enough in the classroom to one day reach that goal. He’s also smart enough to realize that you have to commit 100% of the way in order to succeed on the highest level.

With that in mind, his medical career is on hold as he first pursues another goal.

“I will be a world champion one day,” Algieri vows. 

The next step towards pursuing that goal comes Saturday evening in his hometown of Huntington (Long Island), New York. The unbeaten prospect takes on Jose Peralta in a scheduled 10-round bout airing live on NBC Sports Network.

The main event pits Vyachaslev Glazkov against Malik Scott in a matchup of unbeaten heavyweights, also scheduled for 10 rounds. 

Algieri’s co-feature bout serves as his toughest test to date, but it’s the type of challenge he’s sought since putting down the textbooks and lacing up the gloves.

Athletics have always come natural to Algieri, who has excelled in kickboxing, karate and wrestling. For a while, it was easy to involve himself in all of those activities while holding his own in the classroom. 

Algieri graduated with honors from Stony Brook University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in healthcare science. He received his Master’s degree at NY Institute of Technology in clinical nutrition, which he puts to use as a nutritionist and personal trainer.

When it came time to go all in for his Ph.D, he realized he couldn’t. Rather than do just enough to get a degree while also pursuing a career as a world-class boxer, Algieri instead focuses on one goal at a time. 

“It’s definitely tough to come home from sparring sessions to go home and crack open the books,” Algieri quips, before comparing the two worlds. “It’s different pressure. In the classroom, I demand a lot of myself. School is just mental. In the ring, it’s physical and mental. It takes a lot out of you in different ways.”

A week away from his 29th birthday, there is still plenty of time for Algieri to achieve both goals. He can’t box forever, but plans to make the most of his time in the ring. Once he’s hit all of his marks, the next stop is the operating table.

“There is always a window of opportunity. I don’t put too much pressure on myself. I want to have options. I always live that way. I’ll find a way. There’s always a time limit before you’ve done all you can and then move on. For now, I’m just pursuing my Ph.D. in the boxing ring.”

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board, Yahoo Boxing Ratings Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox