Manny Pacquiao may not have a knockout victory on his record since 2009, but that doesn't mean he won't be aggressive when he takes on Chris Algieri on November 22 in Macau, China. According to assistant trainer Robert "Buboy" Fernandez, Pacquiao is planning on smothering Algieri with activity.
"We are training him for more head movements, more punching combinations and a non-stop assault. We expect a bigger and taller Algieri to run around the ring. We should be ready for that. But, just in case, Algieri decides to mix it up then much better. The fight would end earlier," Fernandez said.
Algieri was able to upset Rusan Provodnikov this summer for his WBO junior welterweight title despite two knockdowns in the first round by utilizing his jab and moving around the ring. Unable to cut Algieri off, Provodnikov was only able to land his hard shots one at a time, while Algieri was rewarded for his volume of lighter punches.
Fernandez doesn't envision Algieri being able to employ that strategy this time around. "We will employ non-stop pressure. Our fighting congressman will chase him wherever he goes. Then try to throw three to five punching combinations to the head and body," Fernandez said.
According to reports, Pacquiao may have re-discovered the power that made him arguably the sport's top star for several years. Fernandez reportedly is dealing with sore wrists from taking Pacquiao's punches during training sessions.
"There was no fracture but the doctor advised me to take a rest for two weeks. I can't do that at this stage when we're in the thick of training for the Algieri fight. No matter what would happen, the training should continue," Fernandez said.
Algieri, on the other hand, believes his jab will be able to thwart any plan Pacquiao brings to the ring. "I've got a great jab," Algieri said. "An effective jab will neutralize anything the other guy has. My movement is going to be a problem for him. That my conditioning will be on point is a given."
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