AS one of Manny Pacquiao’s victims but still showing great respect for the Pinoy ring icon, former world light welterweight and welterweight contender Chris Algieri has mixed feelings about Pacman returning to the ring again to battle American titleholder Mario Barrios for the World Boxing Council welterweight belt on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.
“When I first heard about this, I had much the same thoughts that many of us in the sport had, ‘Oh, man, that’s a scary proposition,’’’ Algieri said in an interview with Fort Worth-Star Telegram sports writer Mac Engel of Pacman’s comeback fight after a four-year layoff in the Texas-based newspaper online website yesterday (Tuesday in the US).
“But then I thought about it, and I’ve been in the ring with the guy (Pacquiao). I’m a boxing fan first and, being nostalgic, it’s Manny. If anyone can beat Father Time one more time, it’s Manny,” noted Algieri, who will serve as an analyst for the telecast that will be streamed on Amazon Prime Video.
“Knowing him (Pacquiao) personally, the man is a warrior. So I am not surprised he is doing this.”
Cocky and undefeated in 20 fights before going up against the Filipino fighter, Algieri suffered six knockdowns in losing to Pacquiao, who handily retained his World Boxing Organization welterweight belt in their title clash on Dec. 23, 2014 at the Cotai Arena at the Venetian Resort in Macau.
Now 41, Algieri pointed out the fact that he fought in his late thirties, “which I don’t recommend. It’s really tough. There are young, hungry guys out there. I knew at 38 my body wasn’t the same as it was at 28.
“Ageing brains don’t take damage well. As you get older, your resistance goes down and down. From that standpoint, this fight does worry me,” he noted, underscoring the 16-year age difference between Pacquiao, 46, and Barrios, 30.
Drawing from his own experience, Algieri, who racked up a record of 25 wins, nine by knockout, and four losses, said that “boxing is the highest highs and lowest lows; all of us are some kind of addicts for that.
“It’s dark. Floyd Patterson said it best: ‘Boxing is the terrible girlfriend you can’t give up. She is mean. She is nasty. She will take everything from you but you keep coming back,’” recalled the former pro of the siren call of the boxing ring.
The veteran American sportswriter shared his own sentiments about the world title clash this weekend, saying: “Manny Pacquiao should not be fighting again, but he keeps coming back for reasons that only he knows.
“The callus cynic says he needs the money.
“The realist says the man has earned the right to be where he wants to be, and to do what he wants to do. Manny Pacquiao fighting again is both sad and inspiring because this isn’t Hollywood. And when these punches land, they can hurt.”
