Team Algieri vows to ruin Manny show

MACAU – It’s still days before the fight and Team Algieri is proclaiming victory over Filipino champion Manny Pacquiao.

During the final press conference late Wednesday evening, Algieri’s trainer, Tim Lane, was introduced by Bob Arum, took the podium and said, “Welcome to the Chris Algieri show.”

The former kickboxing champion and now boxing trainer spread his arms in the air.

Lane, who first met Algieri as a kickboxer almost 15 years ago, promised a “great show” from his unbeaten fighter on Sunday at the Cotai Arena here.

“And you will go Al-Gie-Ri! Al-Gie-Ri! Al-Gie-Ri!” he said.

But there was hardly any reaction from the crowd because no matter how members of Team Algieri look at it, it’s still is Manny Pacquiao’s show.

Pacquiao is the heavy favorite in this fight, according to oddsmakers. A $1,400 wager on Pacquiao gives you a dividend of only $100.

Algieri’s other trainer, Keith Trimble, said Algieri will shock the world when he beats Pacquiao.

Trimble, perhaps bigger and heavier than any other trainer, said when Algieri fought Ruslan Provodnikov last June, “nobody gave him a chance.”

But Algieri got up from two knockdowns in the opening round, and with one eye shut, went on to steal a win against the dreaded Russian boxer.

“And in Nov. 23, Chris will once again be victorious, remain undefeated, at 21-0, and will become the new WBO welterweight world champion,” said Trimble.

Pacquiao and his own trainer, Freddie Roach, just sat nearby.

Algieri’s promoter, Joe DeGuardia, held on to the microphone a little longer, and tried to recall the day Algieri as a teen-ager walked into his office.

“I was impressed with everything he was outside the ring. He’s always a winner. He’s a winner in everything, in his studies, in kickboxing and in boxing,” he said.