Rocky Algieri skips Macau grand ball
After everything had been said, the unbeaten American boxer Chris Algieri readily made it clear: He’s not coming to the Macau grand ball overdressed.
Boxing’s jaded bout sellers have accorded Algieri lavish decorations, like a doctorate in upsets and Rocky-like fire, durability and determination.
After having hit the sales target, Algieri has personally agreed to shed the trappings.
He’ll report to the world welterweight boxing championship stripped to the real and necessary.
* * *
The movie-world Rocky, Sylvester Stallone, could himself go and attend the Macau grand ball on Nov 23.
But it’s down with the fantastic for Chris Algieri, the 30-year-old dreamer from Newport, New York.
There’ll be no Rocky, or whatever of the incredible sort, inside the boxing ring.
“I’ve got the tools and the talent to win. I just have to go out there and be myself,” Algieri told the Associated Press as he set out for Macau.
Well stated because, all the while in the selling period, Algieri had practically flaunted nothing more than flimsy intangibles.
* * *
Now, he has realized the need to rely on nothing else but the real him.
“I’ve got the length, I’ve got the range, I’ve got speed, and I’ve got footwork and defense,” Algieri proceeded to claim.
Without being pressed, Algieri also clarified that he “can’t be expected to stand in front and trade bombs.”
That was the clearest, if not the strongest, Algieri has come to detailing how he would upset Manny Pacquiao come Nov. 23 in Macau.
* * *
Out in his General Santos City camp, Pacquiao, leaving the blabbing to trainer Freddie Roach, has been loading up consistently, as evidenced by reports on imported sparmates, alleged to be superior than Algieri, hitting the deck.
That only means Pacquiao would check in for the world welterweight championship duel brimming with firepower.
Algieri is doing battle stripped to his barest best; Pacquiao, on the other hand, could surpass himself.
While the championship should also serve as a reality check for Algieri, Pacquiao should be able to show how he has re-tooled for the big challenge.
All told, we’re in for a great mix of uncertainty and surprises in what promises to be a truly thrilling theater at the Venetian in Macau.
Meanwhile, there also continued to linger fears of another mismatch courtesy of Top Rank, Inc.
* * *
(FOUL-PRONE: MMDA chief Francis Tolentino would do well to check on the foul operations of the Pasig River Ferry Service. Of the last five afternoon rides the past Friday this reporter took from the Escolta terminal, three were a big mess. No service, no boat, if not hopelessly delayed. Tolentino should fire the manager, if he has one, otherwise the ferry service, refloated after two flops, could sink and drown beyond redemption.)
