Arum likes Algieri for Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines – It seems Chris Algieri’s chances to land a fight with Manny Pacquiao are getting stronger each day.

With an offer already on the table for Algieri to face Pacquiao, Top Rank chief Bob Arum drummed up the American as a possible opponent for the Filipino icon when he returns to the ring this November.

The unbeaten Algieri (20-0, with 8 KOs), according to Arum, possesses an interesting personality that should be one of the elements for a great bout.

RELATED: Algieri offered Pacquiao fight

“He's definitely an option because there's a great storyline. You know, a college kid who has a master’s degree, a superb boxer, speaks well,” the promoter explained in a boxingscene.com article by Keith Idec.

Algieri shot to fame after upsetting Ruslan Provodnikov last June 14 to annex the WBO light welterweight title. He made it clear that he wants the big fights now, and his handlers specifically mentioned Pacquiao as their preference.

Interestingly, the New York-based fighter holds a bachelor’s degree in healthcare science from Stony Brook University and a master’s from the New York Institute of Technology, things that not too many boxers can claim to have.

Reports claim Algieri will be getting a career-high payday of at least $1 million against Pacquiao, who will either come down to 140 pounds or ask the American to climb to welterweight. Pacquiao, meanwhile, holds the WBO welterweight title, something that Algieri would want to add to his resume.

ALSO READ: Mayweather Sr. not giving up on Floyd-Manny showdown

The good-looking Algieri, who is also a clinical nutritionist, likewise has a background in other martial arts such as Chinese karate (kenpo), wrestling and kickboxing.

All these, Arum said, make Algieri the ideal foe for Pacquiao.

“He has all the elements to make an interesting match for Manny Pacquiao both inside and outside the ring. So sure, we're considering it," Arum added.