MACAU—Chris Algieri’s corner is convinced its ward will put Manny Pacquiao to “sleep” on Sunday, when the two fighters collide for the WBO welterweight crown at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Arena here.
Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach, however, feels the confidence of Algieri’s camp is misplaced.
Pacquiao added one extra day of training Friday as he prepares to face a foe who will come in larger than him on fight night.
“He requested me [for a light workout] this morning (Friday),” Roach told Filipino sportswriters. “It was quite unusual but I had to give in.”
In Pacquiao’s previous outings, gym work stopped on the Thursday before the fight.
Roach noted that Pacquiao had already done 23 minutes on the treadmill in the morning, but still wanted to loosen up at the gym.
Team Algieri, meanwhile, believes Pacquiao will be retired once and for all on Sunday.
“Manny is gonna sleep, go home and retire,” said trainer Tim Lane, a former kickboxing champion like Algieri.
“Chris will win by doing what he does best inside the gym. He’s done it 40 times. It’s going to 41.”
Lane was referring to Algieri’s 20-0 record as a kickboxer and his 20-0 slate as a boxer.
“Chris is the young lion and he will prevail,” added Lane. “People haven’t seen the best of Chris. The better the opposition, the better he is. Manny does have a lot of experience, he’s gonna bring out the best of Chris I truly believe the fight will not go the distance.”
Lane said Algieri’s edge in height (four inches) and reach (five inches) will be vital factors in the New Yorker’s bid.
“Chris is realistically four weight classes bigger than him, I think that plays a bigger role. That’s a huge part.”
Roach, however, feels that Algieri’s corner is riding on a high from a victory over Ruslan Provodnikov, but added that bout has no bearing whatsoever on the challenge the unbeaten America will be facing on Sunday.
“Ruslan and Manny are worlds apart,” said Roach. “Ruslan is a heavy puncher but he’s still inexperienced.”
And while Algieri will have the edge in size, Pacquiao will have one advantage going for him.
“Knowing how to fight a southpaw takes time as the punches come from the other side,” said Roach.
Roach said the game plan is for Pacquiao to cut the ring off and keep Algieri’s back on the ropes.
Roach and Pacquiao have plotted a strategy that will keep the Filipino ring icon away from Algieri’s jabs, which the New York native plans to use extensively to slow down his opponent.