By Rick Reeno
Last November, former junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri achieved his dream of headlining a major pay-per-view against one of the biggest names in the sport. He stepped in the ring with WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao and lost a one-sided twelve round decision in Macau, China. Algieri went down six times in the fight.
On May 2nd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Pacquiao will collide with WBC/WBA champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. in one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport.
Prior to facing Pacquiao in the ring, Algieri picked Mayweather to beat him. Now that he's actually facing Pacquiao, Algieri's prediction still stands.
"I'm going with who I've always [gone with]...Mayweather. I think it's just a styles thing. Styles make fights. Floyd will be able to capitalize on the mistakes that Pacquiao makes to this day. Its just one of those things. I'm not saying that Floyd is a much greater fighter than Pacquiao is. They are both probably going to go down in history as being equally influential in the sport. But like I said, I think it's just a styles thing. Floyd will be able to pick up on specific counters, control the distance and I think he'll be able to capitalize on that all night long," Algieri told BoxingScene.com.
"I expected Pacquiao to be a little more aggressive and a little more reckless. He fought a smarter fight. I think Floyd will be ready for that. I think he's seen all of the things that Manny can do and Floyd is the best at figuring a fighter out - even before a fight happens. I'm sure they are doing their homework and they will be able to figure out those mistakes [that Pacquiao makes]. Pacquiao is still able to be countered. He still rushes in. I think Floyd will take advantage of that."
