Chris Algieri loves to run and the fact that he is tall at 5-foot-10 is something of a concern for Freddie Roach as the Hall of Fame trainer get ready to reunite with Manny Pacquiao.
Roach said that while Algieri is “a bit of a runner”, a style that Pacquiao doesn’t really like, the 30-year-old New York native also boasts of “a good jab.”
That’s it, Roach tells David Greisman of boxingscene as he awaits the start of training camp for the Nov. 23 world welterweight title match that will be held on Nov. 23 at The Venetian in Macau.
Roach also dismissed the notion that since Algieri scored a rousing upset win over the heavy-handed Ruslan Provodnikov, it doesn’t follow that he will do the same thing against Pacquiao.
Provodnikov and Pacquiao, who used to spar against each other, are poles apart in terms of style and substance.
Provodnikov may be the harder hitter, but the Russian has limited technical skills compared to the 35-year-old Pacquiao, who is not only quicker but has more experience.
“We’ll figure out a way to beat him. It’s not a problem,” assured the 54-year-old Roach.
Algieri is a licensed nutritionist and has only fought 20 professional fights after a successful stint as a karate practitioner.
Despite his seeming lack of experience, his handlers are upbeat about his chances of upsetting Pacquiao.
Joe DeGuardia, who promotes Algieri, and trainer Tim Lane, believe their fighter has the style and the physique to frustrate Pacquiao.