Sorry, but this piece on Manny Pacquiao proceeding with what originally had been thought to be a budding punching picnic in his calendared fight in Macau on Nov. 23 comes in stale.
Typhoon “Glenda” lustily cut off power and communication lines around our flood-prone area by the Pasig on Wednesday, so this column on Pacquiao’s next opponent is here a day late.
Yes, Pacquiao’s next foe will be Chris Algieri, 30, an American of Italian and Argentinian descent with a clean 20-0 record.
The confirmation was made by Top Rank, Inc. president Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s beloved promoter.
* * *
There had been a hitch after Algieri, who was quick to call out Pacquiao after his disputed split-decision dethronement of WBO light welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov last month, refused to promptly sign up.
That was unthinkable because Arum offered $1.5 million, a whooping 15-step soar from the $100,000 Algieri was paid in the Provodnikov bout.
Algieri mentioned several alibis, including the danger and the pains he would have to go through.
But, by last Sunday, Arum all but confirmed it was a go when the Top Rank big boss bared that all Algieri had wanted was actually a fair and clear division of the purse with his manager.
* * *
Of course, by the time the official announcement was made, there were already stunning adjustments, including those that had to do with credentials and measurements.
For example, Algieri, originally listed at 5 feet 10 inches, grew up to 5 feet 11.
Not really an astounding leap in a game that’s not wholly reliant on extra centimeters.
A truly stunning twist came in the caliber of adjectives.
Algieri’s win over Provodnikov, originally controversial and disputed, was suddenly described as a rousing triumph!
* * *
All in the game. The intention, no doubt, was to project Algieri’s ability to be wholly competitive against Pacquiao.
At least there was no effort to make Algieri, a relative light puncher with only eight stoppages in 20 wins, appear a serious threat to Pacquiao’s health.
Algieri, as seen in the Provodnikov bout, has the guts, craft and competence.
But it must be stated this early that Algieri did edge out Provodnikov mainly because the slugger known as Siberian Rocky was a plodder who kept attacking totally uncovered.
* * *
This is not to say Provodnikov had lost to himself.
Algieri, who had to pick himself up twice from the floor in the first round, won that one by the skin of his teeth.
Unfortunately, against Pacquiao, the highly educated and likeable American gentleman will be facing a seasoned, vicious fire-thrower who has also matured into a respectable defensive artist.
The call is to rechart and plan out new escape routes for Algieri.
Also to rethink decorative adjectives, if just to make Algieri realize which end of the ring he’ll be standing on come Nov. 23 at Cotai Arena in Macau.