Bewildered loser calls clear winner ‘the greatest’

MACAU—After being brought to Sunday school by Manny Pacquiao, Chris Algieri labeled the first man to beat him in the boxing ring “the greatest.”

Admitting that he was outfought and outfoxed by the eight-division world champion in their showdown for Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization welterweight crown at The Venetian Macao, Algieri said he will use the lessons he learned from the Pacquiao fight to improve his craft.

Algieri, who claims to have a higher ring IQ than the Philippines’ fighting congressman, found out that experience is still the best teacher.

“Manny knew our game plan,” Algieri conceded during the postfight conference at the press center. “He kept on attacking me while I was trying to be careful in the first few rounds.”

Pacquiao’s constant lunges disrupted Algieri’s rhythm and timing and took away the stiff successive jabs he was noted for.

“He was a great fighter—his experience showed,” added Algieri, who claimed that Pacquiao never really hurt him, although he ended up with contusions all over his handsome face.

Algieri hit the canvas and took mandatory eight-counts six times from referee Geno Rodriguez in the course of the 12-round bout that was beamed all over the world by HBO.

He went on to lose by lopsided scores of 119-103 from judges Patrick Morley and Levi Martines and 120-102 from Michael Pernick.

While he claimed that at least two of the six knockdowns were slips, Algieri took things in stride.

“Those things are part of the game. I needed to look at the rear view and focus on great things ahead of me.”

Algieri said he doesn’t intend to quit boxing.

He added, however, that he will discuss with his trainers (Tim Lane and Keigth Trimble) what’s best for him.

For now, he remains undecided whether to continue fighting at the 147-pound division or slide back to 140, where he wrested the crown from Russian Ruslan Provodnikov last year.

Algieri, who appeared before the media donning dark shades to cover two bruises on his face, said he’s not disappointed to have been beaten by Pacquiao.

“I lost to a great champion. It’s a great honor to share the ring with him.”

Algieri, who stands to receive a personal record $1.6 million purse for the bout, said he’s going to take a rest, look forward to a great 2015 and appreciate the opportunity (to fight Pacquiao).

Aware of Pacquiao’s ability to put the pressure early on, Algieri said he started cautiously.

But it was to no avail.

“I give it to him,” said Algieri.