MACAU – Chris Algieri said his intelligence or his ring IQ will far outweigh Manny Pacquiao’s experience inside the ring when they clash at high noon Sunday at the Cotai Arena here.
Algieri also said Wednesday that not even the throng of Pacquiao fans watching the fight live will play any role in their showdown.
The undefeated junior-welterweight champion arrived in this gambling haven, from Los Angeles a few days ago, with only four companions. His family and friends, numbering close to 30, will fly in soon.
Pacquiao, the superstar, was more like Noah. He brought with him over 300 companions that boarded two AirAsia A320 planes from General Santos City last Monday.
More Pacquiao fans, including those based in Hong Kong, will help fill the 13,000-seater Cotai Arena by the time the opening bell rings.
Algieri will feel like he’s in alien territory but said he doesn’t care.
“I don’t,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s going to be a factor come fight night. It’s just me, myself and Pacquiao inside that ring,” said Algieri, who showed mediamen some quite unusual training methods.
His trainer, Tim Lane, jumped into the ring barefoot, in traditional Muay or kickboxing attire, and spent a few rounds inside with Algieri.
Lane watched closely as Algieri shadow boxed, and later on pulled out a pair of sticks, which looked like baking pins with padded ends, and served as mitts.
Algieri, with his cap worn backwards as he trained, also had a few rounds with Keith Trimble, who wore a four-inch thick body protector.
“I feel great,” Algieri blurted as he arrived at the gym and approached the ring, where reporters had waited for a chance to speak to him.
Algieri said they’ve had a great camp.