Manny Pacquiao, with coach Freddie Roach. AP FILE PHOTO
Many boxing pundits are quick to dismiss Chris Algieri as a worthy challenger to Manny Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization welterweight crown.
Not Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s mentor.
The Hall of Fame trainer told the South China Morning Post Friday that the unbeaten Algieri (20-0, 8 knockouts) will be “very difficult to fight” on Nov. 23 at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Arena.
While Roach believes Pacquiao can take care of the 5-foot-11 Algieri’s 4 1/2-inch height advantage, the six-time Trainer of the Year said that his prized ward needs “to come a lot closer” to take control of the bout, set at a catchweight of 144 pounds.
In his previous bout last month, Algieri stunned Russian Ruslan Provodnikov, whom Roach also trains, to snatch the WBO light welterweight crown (140 lb).
According to Roach, Algieri deserves the title crack against Pacquiao.
“He fought Ruslan and won. Algieri is undefeated [20-0, 8 KOs] and he’s got a good record,” said Roach. “He’s in good shape. It’s not going to be an easy fight.”
After convincingly exacting vengeance on Timothy Bradley on April 12, Pacquiao will bring his act again to the Cotai Arena, where he dominated Brandon Rios last November.