By Ronnie Nathanielsz

CELEBRATED trainer Freddie Roach said World Boxing Organization light welterweight champion Chris Algieri, the next opponent of WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao “is nothing special.”

Pacquiao puts his title on the line against Algieri, who is moving up in weight to face the Filipino ring icon at the Cotai Arena of the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino in Macau on Nov. 22.

Roach told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard/Viva Sports that Algieri is tall and is a “boxer who has a good jab, but is nothing special. Pacquiao is going to have to press him a bit and will probably knock him out along the way.”

Roach said he doesn’t know why Pacquiao reportedly plans to train at a gym being built at the Azure Resort in Bicutan, Taguig as disclosed by Eric Pineda, the manager of the KIA expansion basketball team in the pro league.

Pineda said the KIA team of which Pacquiao is playing coach, will also train at the basketball court in Azure and it would give Pacquiao a chance to also watch the team’s practices.

However, Roach was not pleased with the idea of Pacquiao attending to his training, while also working with the PBA basketball team.

“I am pushing for the training camp in General Santos City,” said Roach, who added he would discuss this with him when they meet on the press tour to promote the Algieri fight.

He said he plans to fly to Manila after the press tour to begin Pacquiao’s training.

Meantime, Hall of Fame matchmaker Bruce Trampler said that during the press tour stop in Shanghai on Aug. 26, Pacquiao will be special guest at a local Chinese boxing show.