Manny Pacquiao will face Chris Algieri with the WBO welterweight title on the line on November 22 in Macau, China, and while the fight hasn't exactly lit up the boxing media or fan base, the 35-year-old Pacquiao said via press release that he's looking forward to the fight, and that he's not looking past the underdog.
"Chris Algieri fought an exceptional fight in June to win the world title from Ruslan Provodnikov," said Pacquiao of Algieri's WBO junior welterweight title-winning performance in his last outing.
"I am impressed and intrigued by his scientific approach to training and boxing. He may be the smartest and the fittest athlete I have ever faced and that makes him the most dangerous. I worked hard to reclaim my welterweight title and I will work harder to make sure I keep it on November 22. As always, I dedicate this fight to my fellow Filipinos around the world and to bring glory to the Philippines. "
Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach was also in the corner of Provodnikov in June, and says he won't make the same mistakes in this fight that he did in that one, while also challenging Algieri to fight instead of using his legs.
"I underestimated Algieri when he faced Ruslan Provodnikov in June but I won't make that mistake again," said Roach. "I hope he understands that this is a fight and not a marathon. Algieri is going to face the best of Manny Pacquiao because Manny is going to have his toughest training camp ever. I am looking forward to a great fight and Manny's finest hour on November 22."