Algieri to critics: I deserve Pacquiao fight

MANILA, Philippines – The selection of Chris Algieri to be Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent initially raised eyebrows from some boxing observers and fans.

After all, how does a virtually unknown fighter like Algieri deserves a high-profile bout – and the huge payday that comes with it – against a boxing superstar such as Pacquiao?

The undefeated American’s claim to fame was a win over Ruslan Provodnikov for the WBO light welterweight title, which came as a shock to many. It would eventually become Algieri’s ticket to a clash with Pacquiao in Macau on Nov. 23, a fight in which few are giving the New Yorker a chance win.

But Algieri insists he has earned the shot at the Filipino icon.

“At the end of the day, I believed I proved to be where I am, that I should be here. This is a very real fight,” he said in a boxingscene.com report by Bill Emes the other day.

Algieri will be earning a career-high purse of $1.5 million against Pacquiao, or 10 times more than what he pocketed in the Provodnikov bout.

He says it’s not about the money.

“Mark my words, I'm coming fully prepared and I think Manny knows this and Freddie [Roach] knows this as well. I'm not here just for a payday. I'm not here just to fight Manny Pacquiao. I'm coming to win this fight and I'm going to be fully prepared on fight night,” Algieri added.

Oddsmakers have installed Algieri as a 16-1 underdog against Pacquiao, something the New Yorker doesn’t mind as he guns for another upset win that would make his victory over Provodnikov a less eventful one.

“Anyone who is looking past the fact doesn't know me and doesn't know anything about me, and that I belong here,” he ended.