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by David P. Greisman - Chris Algieri’s background came to the forefront from the moment he entered the spotlight. He was a novelty in a sport that draws the poor and otherwise troubled, taking them off the streets and instilling discipline, showing them the value of sacrifice even if it comes at a physical price.
Algieri was a private-school student from the well-to-do region of Long Island, New York, who has a college diploma and a master’s degree and has designs on attending medical school. Contrast that with the best boxer in the world, Floyd Mayweather Jr., who while opulent now didn’t come from an affluent background, and who defended accusations earlier this year that he was functionally illiterate.
The first person Algieri defeated in 2014, Emanuel Taylor, was brought to the gym at the age of 3, as his father preemptively wanted something that would keep him out of trouble later in life. That approach didn’t stick for Taylor’s brother, also a boxer, who wound up serving time in prison. The second person Algieri defeated this year, Ruslan Provodnikov, believes he would have been behind bars himself if not for boxing. And the person Algieri fought this past weekend, Manny Pacquiao, had dropped out, moved out and was a homeless teenager long before he became a national icon and then a global superstar.
Algieri didn’t need to fight but he loved to compete. He wrestled. He became a pro kickboxer. He chose boxing. But it wasn’t a mere hobby. This was a pursuit.
That’s what it had to be for him to succeed against opponents who needed it more. That’s what it had to be for him to put his studies on the backburner as his boxing career advanced to higher-level opponents and higher-profile fights. And that’s what it had to be for him to come off the canvas against Provodnikov twice in the first round and then battle and box despite his right eye being swollen shut for the remaining 11 rounds, winning a split decision and a world title. [Click Here To Read More]
Algieri was a private-school student from the well-to-do region of Long Island, New York, who has a college diploma and a master’s degree and has designs on attending medical school. Contrast that with the best boxer in the world, Floyd Mayweather Jr., who while opulent now didn’t come from an affluent background, and who defended accusations earlier this year that he was functionally illiterate.
The first person Algieri defeated in 2014, Emanuel Taylor, was brought to the gym at the age of 3, as his father preemptively wanted something that would keep him out of trouble later in life. That approach didn’t stick for Taylor’s brother, also a boxer, who wound up serving time in prison. The second person Algieri defeated this year, Ruslan Provodnikov, believes he would have been behind bars himself if not for boxing. And the person Algieri fought this past weekend, Manny Pacquiao, had dropped out, moved out and was a homeless teenager long before he became a national icon and then a global superstar.
Algieri didn’t need to fight but he loved to compete. He wrestled. He became a pro kickboxer. He chose boxing. But it wasn’t a mere hobby. This was a pursuit.
That’s what it had to be for him to succeed against opponents who needed it more. That’s what it had to be for him to put his studies on the backburner as his boxing career advanced to higher-level opponents and higher-profile fights. And that’s what it had to be for him to come off the canvas against Provodnikov twice in the first round and then battle and box despite his right eye being swollen shut for the remaining 11 rounds, winning a split decision and a world title. [Click Here To Read More]
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