By Victor Salazar
New York, NY - It might not have been the big fight Chris Algieri was hoping for - but the Long Island fighter isn’t talking Erick Bone lightly later tonight at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Not only because of Bone’s gutsy performance versus Shawn Porter in a losing effort but Algieri has sparred with Bone in the past.
“He’s very scrappy,” Algieri told BoxingScene.com. I sparred him before but sparring is a whole different ball game than it is when the headgear is off and the 8 ounce gloves are in. We sparred about four times.”
“He says this is the fight of his life so he’s coming to make a statement and being surprising. I made a career of surprises. So I’m not letting that happen. Every fight at this stage is important. Everyone out there at this level can fight and every fight is important.”
This will be his second go around with new trainer John David Jackson. Algieri accounted for himself well last May against Amir Khan and Algieri credits his trainer for finding a style that fits both personalities.
“It was much smoother this time, a lot less rushed,” Algieri said about his second camp with Jackson. “A lot of things that John was able to show me this time that I’m looking forward to show all of you in the ring. I think one of the assets of my style is that you don’t know if I’m going to box or be aggressive. You got to change during fights. You have to change during fights and that change has brought me great success.”
Should he come out victorious, Algieri wants a big name, he’s even willing to tango with one Ruslan Provodnikov again.
“Any of the big names out there I’m willing to fight. Provodnikov is certainly one of them. He’s coming off a win. I’d like to come off a win. I’ve never taken the easy fights and whenever a big fight has come away, I’ve always taken the opportunity.”
