Boxing Insight: Pacquiao versus Algieri
By Mark F. Villanueva
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 23 Nov 2014
I watched clips of Manny Pacquiao train like I was reading a heavyweight book - carefully reading between the lines, attempting to string facts together to finally see the bigger picture.? While most have been blinded by the Filipino's whirling hand speed, the first thing I focused on for quite a while, again and again, was his legs 'cause that's what's needed to win this fight against a ring general like the unbeaten American, Chris Algieri.
The more I think of it, the more I am convinced that Chris Algieri cannot fight any other way even if he had wanted to. ?I asked a friend of mine, Luis Collazo, a former WBA Welterweight champion boxer who lost to Amir Khan last May, who roots for Algieri to win, and he confirmed my suspicions. ?Both boxers are from New York and have trained together.? Christopher Mark Algieri aka "The King of New York" lacks punching power. ?He uses his height and reach advantage, moves and sets things up nicely and lures opponents to come in. ?His Master's Degree may not help in a fight, as coach Freddie Roach says, but being smart does.
I closed my eyes to focus on sound.? No matter what people say or what you might have read elsewhere you can tell it for yourself. ?From Pacquiao's cardiovascular system that transports through his veins this mythical fuel that finally erupts in compact throbs as his gloves hit the bag; ?the heavy rapidity and power with only subtle breaks, the angles of the sounds and bass for a tactical span. ?Without sight you can tell Manny Pacquiao still loves his main sport in a heartbeat. That has always been my main concern to watch him train.
Manny Pacquiao needs this deep source of energy to propel his legs and catch up with a constantly moving target. First, he needs to deal with the long jabs, which he usually does with head movement and slips. Most of the time he likes to go under it, as with Dela Hoya, which would be a smart thing to do for a short visit to the mid section before rising up for hook. None of these things are possible without powerful legwork. Algieri has a habit of halting when defending against body shots and Pacquiao is most likely to capitalize on this. Algieri is not as slippery as he thinks he is and is considerably easier to trap in a corner with feints, despite the constant movement. I reckon Pacquiao will eventually knock him out late in the fight.
In such a brutal and inherently violent sport, what makes Chris Algieri dangerous is beyond physicality. He understands his weaknesses and must have learned invaluable lessons after his victory over Provodnikov. He knows that if he fights Pacquiao toe-to-toe he is going to be obliterated. He understands his weaknesses and most importantly he accepts and addresses it, and I won't bet on him doing anything foolish in the ring. One has to be very consistent and aggressive in breaking a man who knows his place. "I always root for underdogs." Says Collazo. "But he's true to his craft and it is rare if he changes his fighting plan. Just got to let Pacman come in and
pick his shots."
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Mark F. Villanueva?
www.BoxingInsight.blogspot.com
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