There’s been a hell lot of talk about Chris Algieri being a very accomplished individual, having been a karate and kickboxing expert, a licensed nutritionist and a soon-to-be-doctor.
“Chris Algieri has a Master’s degree in a lot of things but Manny Pacquiao has a Master’s degree in boxing,” Roach said during a recent chat with mediamen from Macau, Hong and mainland China.
Roach said that while Algieri doesn’t have much to offer when ranged against Pacquiao’s past foes, the 54-year-old Hall of Fame trainer says he can’t afford to take him for granted.
“I already have three guys lined up for sparring,” Roach said, noting that he will begin training camp in General Santos City eight weeks before the scheduled Nov. 23 welterweight title match at The Venetian.
Roach said the sparring partners are cut in the same mold as the 5-10 ½ Algieri, tall and rangy and “they all love to run,” something Roach feels the Long Island, New York native will do against Pacquiao.
The major players are on their way to the US for the first leg of the mainland tour in San Francisco and after dropping by Los Angeles and New York City, the camps of Pacquiao and Algieri are all going to set the stage for training camp.
Pacquiao is going to set up camp in his hometown of General Santos City although he might spend some days in Manila in anticipation of the PBA debut of his Kia basketball squad on Oct. 19.
Roach said Pacquiao has promised him to lay off from playing basketball four weeks before the fight.
Algieri will do his buildup in New York for three to four weeks before moving over to Las Vegas for the most crucial phase of his preparation.
Since there is a wide time difference between Asia and the US, Algieri plans to return to Macau 10 days before the fight to adjust to the local conditions.