Roach: Algieri in Over His Head, Pacquiao Too Much

By Edward Chaykovsky

Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach believes Chris Algieri (20-0, 8KOs) bit off more than he chew by accepting a fight with eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao on November 22nd in Macau, China.

In June, Algieri won an upset decision over another Roach boxer, Ruslan Provodnikov, to capture the WBO junior welterweight title. Roach felt Provodnikov was robbed of a win and anticipates Pacquiao to overwhelm Algieri.

Algieri is a very big underdog in the match, as he was against Provodnikov. The fight is taking place at catch-weight of 144-pounds for Pacquiao's WBO welterweight championship.

"He's got a good jab, he's left handed, he's got a good jab and a good hook. His right hand is not so good," Roach told ABS-CBN News. "I honestly think he's in over his head a little bit. I think Manny is gonna be way too much for him. I think Manny can make (the fight) as hard or as easy as he wants to make it."