To keep him at the end of the jab, and be in control right at the start.
Unbeaten Chris Algieri, aiming to become the New White Hope, has suddenly injected specifics into his otherwise fantastic plot to upset Manny Pacquiao in their Nov. 23 WBO welterweight championship clash in Macau.
Algieri, 20-0, was previously hesitant to detail his fight plan. All he did was state, rather flatly, that he would be riding on his ability to adjust.
Algieri said: “A lot of people think about the jab and whatnot. I don’t think that was my best asset. My best asset is being able to adjust in a fight, adjusting to any situation and finding a way to win.”
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That was on Sunday, which still left many fans and experts speculating.
There were those who actually thought Algieri was being evasive about his overall ability.
Algieri was more direct to the point yesterday. He stood up to declare he would jam or offset Pacquiao’s torrid pace.
He explained (in a story posted at thafighthype.com): “Manny is the king of in and out. He’s a fast and explosive guy, but he’s a rhythmic fighter. Keeping him at the end of the jab and under control, to offset his rhythm is the name of the game.”
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That was the clearest Algieri had come to detailing how he hopes to stand up to Pacquiao’s fabled blazing offensive.
While his announced tactic could also seem like a recycled version of his jab, with which he had hoped to neutralize Pacquiao, Algieri this time offered a daring modification.
He would come to jam Pacquiao’s rhythm, a very doable plot considering his edge in height and reach.
But there’s a bigger question: What does he do once he has succeeded in jamming the rhythm. Will he agree to bang it up? Will he also allow himself to be trapped in a fierce toe-to-toe jungle exchange against a feared search-and-destroy warrior?
Or will he instead turn back, revert to his claimed ability to adjust?
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MANNY NOT TO BLAME: Lawyer Romulo Macalintal, an expert on election laws, says Manny Pacquiao should not be blamed for his tardiness in the House of Representatives: “Pacquiao was often absent during House of Representatives sessions. But he was out there risking life and limb inside the boxing ring to bring honor and pride to our country. The same cannot be said about legislators who likewise absent themselves from HR sessions, or even those who are always present but are not performing to the expectations of their constituents. I would rather have a Congressman Pacquiao who brings honor to our country while away from the session hall, than congressmen doing nothing for our country while attending HR sessions.”