Freddie Roach is 100 percent sure that Manny Pacquiao is going to knock Chris Algieri out on Nov. 23 in Macau.
“Kickboxers don’t hit (punch) that hard,” said Roach, who has in his possession a video of Algieri being knocked out cold during a kickboxing tournament a few years ago.
Before racking up a perfect 20-0 win-loss record with eight KOs in the professional ranks, Algieri excelled in wrestling, full-contact karate, and kickboxing.
Roach said Algieri was “out cold” during his mix-martial arts days and he has no doubt that Pacquiao, one of the hardest-hitters in the division, can repeat the same thing when they go at it at The Venetian.
Algieri has been advertised as an undefeated mixed-martial arts expert but Roach insists the 30-year-old New Yorker is not as menacing as he is being portrayed.
In another martial arts event culled from Youtube, Algieri fought and got knocked out by Scott Mukaddam with an overhand right to the jaw.
Still, Roach is not taking Algieri lightly, adding that the US puncher has a good jab and has a big height and reach advantage.
Pacquiao is in the thick of training in General Santos City and yesterday, the 35-year-old southpaw went eight rounds for the second straight day with Viktor Postol of Ukraine and Mike Jones of the US.
“Great sparring for Manny,” said Jojo Sta. Teresa, a staffer of Pacquiao in Congress.
Sta. Teresa said that while there was no knockdown scored during the session, Pacquiao was in his usual self.
“Still very fast and moves very well,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao will host an open media workout today with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum also in attendance.
The drumbeating will shift to Hong Kong on Sunday and Monday as The Venetian is sending a private plane to pick up Pacquiao and his entourage.
This time, members of the Chinese media will be on hand to meet Pacquiao and Arum.