Manny Pacquiao Next Fight Update: Chris Algieri Vows to Silence Critics on November 22 Fight
Chis Algieri was surprisingly selected as Manny Pacquiao's opponent in his next fight on Nov. 22 in Macau, but the newly-crowned WBO light welterweight champion vowed to silence his critics.
Algieri's selection drew raves from the media and fans when there are big names that could have been picked by Pacquiao's camp, but the 30-year-old champion played down the negative things that are being said about him.
"To tell you the truth it's sour grapes," Algieri said via BoxingScene. "That's all it is. It doesn't affect me negatively or positively. It doesn't give me more fire to do what I do. I'm not driven that way. I'm a self-motivated person and self-assured. All of the negativity, I had the same thing before."
Algieri is set to earn a $1-million paycheck for his upcoming fight -- the biggest fight purse in his career. The Huntington, New York native earned a shot at Pacquiao after scoring a split decision win over Ruslan Provodnikov.
Algieri, who has a perfect 20-0 record with eight knockouts, was a heavy underdog heading into the fight, but he managed to defy the odds, scoring a split-decision win against Provodnikov in their welterweight title showdown on June 14 in Brooklyn, New York.
Algieri also added that he can make the fight sell, contrary to what most people are saying about the pay-per-view potential of the Pacquiao-Algieri showdown.
"I can carry this promotion," Algieri said via Newsday. "I can sell a fight. I'm confident we can do it."
Jose DeGuardia, Algieri's promoter, also came into the defense of his fighter, saying that they will do all the necessary moves to make the fight work -- financially. DeGuardia pointed out that they are ready to carry the promotional duties in the United States once Pacquiao returns to the Philippines for his training camp.
"We're talking a homegrown American from the hottest market in the country -- New York," DeGuardia said. "Chris will be the attraction. In fact, once the promotional tour ends and Pacquiao heads home to the Philippines to train, Algieri figures to carry the brunt of the promotional duties in America. He's up for the challenge."
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