Manny Pacquiao's November 22 fight with Chris Algieri is being contested at a 144-pound catch weight despite Pacquiao's WBO welterweight title being up for grabs. Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said their side imposed the catch weight to test Pacquiao's viability at a lower weight in preparation for a potential move back down to junior welterweight.
Should Pacquiao move down, Roach has expressed interest in a fight with the top dog at 140 pounds, Danny "Swift" Garcia. In a recent interview though, Bob Arum was quick deny Algieri was scheduled as a tune-up for Pacquiao before clashing with Garcia.
"I don't think that Danny Garcia, if he fought Algieri today, would have much of a chance," Arum said.
"Algieri is a real great athlete, and that wasn't why we made the fight between him and Pacquiao. We were going to make Pacquiao and Provodnikov but once Algieri licked him, then we figured Algieri had enough of a backstory to make this fight very interesting."
In recent weeks part of the storyline leading up to Pacquiao vs. Algieri has been the impression Pacquiao isn't taking Algieri seriously. He has repeatedly discussed a 2015 bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr., and took some criticism for playing briefly in a pro basketball game in the Philippines.
Arum disputed that Algieri would be an easy fight for Pacquiao, and also denied that he is taking his opponent lightly.
"Clearly Algieri's experience isn't on Pacquiao's level. But Algieri has certain advantages that if he utilizes makes it a very tough fight. His boxing ability, his great stamina, and also the fact that he towers over Pacquiao. Those are not easy elements for Pacquiao to deal with, and Pacquiao is working extraordinarily hard," Arum said.
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