By Bill "Two Scoops" Emes

Promoter Joe DeGuardia is very confident about Chris Algieri's chances to upset Manny Pacquiao on November 22nd in Macau, China. DeGuardia was also confident that Algieri (20-0, 8KOs), a huge underdog at the time, would defeat Ruslan Provodnikov in June. He was right, and Algieri recovered from two knockdowns to win a twelve round split decision and the WBO junior welterweight championship.

"I took the Provodnikov fight for one reason and one reason alone - I knew that Chris stacked up pretty well against him and I also knew about the opportunity it provided. Well now for this particular fight, sure it pays good money the Pacquiao fight - but the reality is I'm also taking this fight because of the opportunity it provides and I like the way he stacks up against Manny. It's a great opportunity for him. I feel comfortable putting him in the fight and I think he's going to win," DeGuardia told BoxingScene.com.

Now Algieri is moving up in weight to the welterweight division. The odds appear to be stacked against him from all sides. But DeGuardia points out that Algieri possesses a weapon that can overcome anything that Pacquiao brings to the table - a very good jab.

"My father always told me when he fought Willie [Pep], and when he trained with Willie in the gym, the jab is the most important thing in the sport. You don't really know what boxing is until you really know that jab. A jab controls everything. A jab can equalize speed. A jab can equalize power. A jab is a very effective tool and Chris has it. And sure that is probably the most vital aspect of the fight - is the jab," DeGuardia said.