(SUNDAY SPECIAL: If you have time, please don’t miss: PAGPUPUGAY, Tribute to Greatness in Philippine Sports the Past 100 Years, over GMA News TV starting at 5 p.m. today. The show celebrating the honest heroism of Filipino sports legends received tremendous acclaim during a live presentation at the Resorts World Manila last June 12.)
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IT’S no longer funny where the Manny Pacquiao-Chris Algieri world title bout scheduled in Macau next November has headed.
Last seen and heard, it was trying to get off the floor.
If you haven’t heard it yet, Algieri had to pick himself from the floor last June to upset the fire-breathing Russian Ruslan Provodnikov, known as the Siberian Rocky, and capture the WBO junior welterweight crown.
Algieri did get up from a knockdown not only once, but twice, in the first round of that very tough contest.
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It’s like this. When fight odds were first tallied middle of last month for the Nov. 23 title clash in Macau, Algieri was tagged a 14-1 underdog against Pacquiao, reigning WBO welterweight champion.
The disparity was so awesome there were those who initially thought the championship pairing was a big mistake.
Top Rank Inc., the premiere promotional agency selling the championship, however refused to budge.
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That was just fine. Problem was that, when they took a second look at the odds three days ago, it had swollen to 16-1.
This was a bit surprising considering that the promoters, with the Algieri camp leading the assault, had mounted a brisk sales offensive.
The unbeaten Algieri (20-0, with 8 KOs) had gone on to insist that he would obliterate Pacquiao’s vaunted firepower with his masterful jab.
Algieri labelled his main weapon as the Great Equalizer.
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Of course, it sounded rather vague, mainly to fight experts.
True enough, Pacquiao conqueror Juan Marquez next came forward to warn that Algieri, 30, stands practically no chance against the 35-year-old Filipino boxing superhero.
Marquez said Algieri may be taller and exceptionally talented, but claimed the vastly seasoned Pacquiao is just too powerful and quick.
Marquez added he would not be surprised if that title bout ends in a stoppage.
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So, did Bob Arum cherry-pick Algieri?
No problem, countered Algieri, who had also registered a clean 20-0 slate en route to winning a world kick-boxing title, prior to his shift to professional boxing.
“On paper, I’m not supposed to win,” Algieri explained with surprising calm.
He said he’s sure to conquer Pacquiao, riding on solid intangibles.
He refused to elaborate.
Meanwhile, the unsinkable Mr. Arum appeared supremely confident the Pacquiao-Algieri world championship would rise and sell.
His reason: “Boxing is stupid, very stupid!”
Nothing follows.
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(CEU CALLING: Calling all graduates of Centro Escular University-College of Optometry , Class ’69. Plans for a grand reunion are being finalized. Please contact Tony Pagdanganan, 0928-506-7291/531-4168; Cora Chua-Ham, 0917-701-0900; Etchel Dujale-Villanueva, 0915-138-6565/888-5994.)