Pacquiao-Algieri war underway
Manny Pacquiao and Chris Algieri stare down at each other during their official weigh-in Saturday at The Venetian in Macau. Top Rank
MANILA, Philippines—And it’s on: 12 rounds for one of the all-time greats and an upstart New Yorker.
Manny Pacquiao and Chris Algieri go at it inside the Cotai Arena at The Venetian Macao Sunday afternoon with the Filipino’s World Boxing Organization Welterweight Championship belt on the line.
Both fighters agreed on a catch weight of 144 pounds.
Algieri struts in blue trunks with white trim and camps at the blue corner while the champion sits at the red corner with trainer Freddie Roach.
Pacquiao laces up a blue and red pair of Nike HyperKO boxing boots for the squared circle.
Dubbed as the modern day Rocky, Algieri has superstar action heroes Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger supporting him at ringside.
Not to be outdone, Pacquiao too has some real-life strong men at his support with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza in attendance.
Pacquiao’s former rival, and beer advertisement buddy, Erik Morales was also spotted inside the Venetian for the bout.
The Sarangani congressman’s whole family including his wife Jinkee and mom Dionisia are also in Macau to watch at ringside.
During their weigh-in on Friday, Pacquiao clocked in at 143. 8 lbs while Algieri, who is also a nutritionist, ironically failed to make the weight limit on his first try as he was measured at 144.2 lbs.
Algieri (20-0, 8 KOs) managed to lose some pounds after a two-hour break and clocked in at 143.6 lbs.
Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 KOs), the Fighter of the Decade and the only eight-division World Champion, would defend the welterweight title for the first time after regaining the belt from Timothy Bradley in a lopsided decision in April.
Foregoing the usual star singer for the Philippine National Anthem, Pacquiao chose a choir made up of pastors from General Santos City to sing for the fight.
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