Tonight at 9:00 p.m. ET on HBO pay-per-view in Macau, China a fight card main evented by Manny Pacquiao defending his WBO welterweight title against Chris Algieri, the WBO junior welterweight champion, will get underway. Fans can watch the bout online by clicking this link.
Pacquiao is a heavy favorite to retain his title against the largely unknown Algieri, but don't expect the Long Island, New York native to lay down for his legendary opponent.
Algieri is one of Pacquiao's tallest opponents ever, and unlike Antonio Margarito, who was battered by Pacquiao despite a five-inch height advantage, Algieri's no plodder. He was able to upset the power-punching Ruslan Provodnikov for the WBO junior welterweight title behind an accurate, busy approach and a ton of movement.
"I've got a great jab," Algieri has 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."
Algieri himself has spoken on the advantages he holds. "I'm the bigger man," Algieri said. "I'm three and a half inches taller and have a five-inch advantage in reach. I'm not saying Pacquiao's old at 36, but I'm going to make him feel that way all night long."
Pacquiao, however, has much more big fight experience than Algieri, and has faced for more world-class competition over the course of his Hall of Fame career. The Filipino icon will also have a wildly supportive crowd behind him in China, and greater power.
Prediction: Pacquiao def. Algieri by unanimous decision.
UNDERCARD
Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo
Lomachenko is a rising star who holds the WBO featherweight title despite having just three professional bouts under his belt. After losing a title fight to an overweight Orlando Salido in March Lomachenko rebounded with a brilliant performance against previously undefeated American Gary Russell Jr.
Prediction: Lomachenko def. Piriyapinyo by KO (6)
Jessie Vargas vs. Antonio DeMarco
Vargas, the WBA junior welterweight champion, has been the recipient of two controversial decisions in his last two fights in Las Vegas, and will face a game opponent away from that Nevada comfort zone tonight. Vargas is a good boxer that lacks power, while DeMarco is a relatively limited boxer who relies on pressure and a good chin.
Vargas may have issues keeping DeMarco off of him since the challenger should be able to walk through the champion's shots, but he may be able to impress the judges by landing cleaner shots in big numbers.
Prediction: Vargas def. DeMarco by unanimous decision.
Zou Shiming vs. Kwanpichit OnesongchaiGym
Shiming is a major attraction in China, even though he only has five fights on his resume. Shiming is undefeated in those five fights, but hasn't shown great power, recording just one TKO victory. OnesongchaiGym has more experience than Shiming, but he has very little chance of victory in Macau if the fight goes the distance.
Prediction: Shiming def. OnesongchaiGym by unanimous decision.
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