Macau — Freddie Roach was disgusted with the anemic showing of Chris Algieri against welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao on Sunday at the Cotai Arena.
Algieri’s strategy to dance all fight long didn’t sit well with the Hall of Fame trainer, who guided the Filipino to a rousing 12-round unanimous decision over the challenger from New York.
“I am very disappointed with Algieri,” said Roach moments after hearing the judges’ lopsided scores.
“The master boxer was given a master class by Pacquiao,” boasted Roach, who wanted a knockout win so badly that he even predicted a first-round knockout.
Roach said Algieri didn’t fight to win but just wanted to survive.
“All he did was run. He didn’t show the heart or the balls he showed versus Ruslan (Provodnikov),” said Roach, referring to Algieri’s upset win over the one-time Pacquiao sparring partner from Russia.
Roach simply can’t blame Algieri, who tasted six knockdowns in the 12-rounder, including one wherein he did a somersault after getting jarred by Pacquiao’s thunderous blows.
Wasn’t he who said that Pacquiao and Provodnikov are worlds apart in terms of skills?
Still, Roach, 54, was looking forward to a sensational ending since Pacquiao hasn’t scored an abbreviated victory in five years.