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Amir Khan, as expected, as predicted, wins against Chris Algieri. But in a totally different way. It's not one way traffic. It's not dominating, though it's a convincing win. Khan earned the win the hard way for their welterweight clash at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Spike TV.

From the get-go Khan, started with the right foot and everything went well and won the first three rounds. He’s throwing fast combinations and then disengaged.

In the fourth round, Algieri, somehow sensing he lost the first three rounds, pumped up his offense accelerator and started pressuring Khan. He landed some solid right hand counters that Khan felt but obviously not hurt.

After the fight, Khan (31-3, 19 KO) admits and says he “had to change it up and go to plan B”. He’s surprised for sure. Algieri was not the Algieri that defeated Ruslan Provodnikov or the Algieri Manny Pacquiao defeated in Macau.

But Khan’s adjustment to an offense-minded Algieri worked out. He landed more precise shots, creating angles and fired fast combinations. The judges’ got it right to the tune of: 15-113, 117-111, and 117-111.

Khan reiterates again his desire to fight Mayweather. “I'm the No. 1 WBC contender, Mayweather's the champion, let's make it happen’ says Khan.

With Khan’s performance tonight, I think Khan proves he has the ability to adjust his style in real time. He adapted to Algieri’s forward style, which I believed he’s not trained mainly for.

Adjustment in real time is another essential skill Khan should add to his armament, if he ever dances with Money in the same ring in September.

Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 KO) will defend his WBO welterweight title against undefeated American boxer Chris Algieri (28-0, 8 KO) at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Arena in Macau, China.

Tune in for round by round updates.


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On Friday night (Saturday morning in Macau) Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao hits the scale and tipped in at 143.8 lbs. While Chris Algieri came in .4 lbs heavy at 144.4 lbs on his first attempt. The match is contracted at a catch weight limit of 144 lbs. So, he stripped everything, but still came in at 144.2 lbs.

Well, .2 lbs is not a big issue at all. Both men are ready for Saturday night's welterweight showdown.

Undercard weights

Jessie Vargas (25-0, 9 KO) 140 lbs vs Antonio DeMarco (31-3-1, 23 KO) 139.9 lbs - junior welterweight

Vasyl Lomachenko (2-1, 1 KO) 126 lbs vs Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo (52-1, 33 KO) - WBO featherweight title

Zou Shiming (5-0, 1 KO) 112 lbs vs Kwanpichit OnesongchaiGym (27-0-2, 12 KO) 112 lbs - 12-round flyweight

After all the preparation, it boils down to two men finally tangle in the ring.

During the fight's build up between the Filipino boxing icon and undefeated Chris Algieri; they were very cordial to each other. Nothing to trash talks about. No drama. No nothing.

Instead, what they promised is that they had the best training camp. And it looks like they did have good training camps. Both men look sharp and physically strong during the media workout. They don't have weight issues as both men, for sure will comfortably make the  the contracted 144 pound limit.

Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 KO) will defend his WBO welterweight title against unbeaten Chris Algieri.  The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Arena of Macau in China will hold the event and can be watch on HBO Pay-Per-View.

So, I think, if both indeed physically prepared for this fight, then we have a great fight this weekend. Plain and simple. No gloves issues. No one's threatening that the fight will not push through. But I hope the fight will sell by itself. The last time Pacquiao fought in Macao was against Brandon Rios. The fight generated unsatisfactory less than 500K PPV buys.

Well, it's not my forte to talk about this fight's business point of view. Instead let me do my preview and prediction.

I think, in Round 1, Pacman will try to surprise Algieri. He will use Germany's blitzkrieg attack. Pacquiao knows well that Algieri doesn't hits hard. Algieri's only eight knockouts out of 20 wins is a testament that he doesn't have that one-punch knockout power. Pacquiao's early onslaught will keep Algieri on the back foot. Algieri survive the round by covering up tightly. And riding his bicycle.

In the second round, Pacquiao lands a powerful left straight on Algieri. The undefeated New Yorker took it, but he felt it. Then he realized Pacquiao power. It is really powerful. He thinks that he can run, but can't hide. He stand his ground and trades with Pacquiao, which is a bad move. But Algieri, is just swinging with the fences. He can't catch Pacquiao clean. Now he realized what speed is all about. He thinks of Tim Bradley words. “He’s gonna learn November 22 what fast is all about. Manny Pacquiao, lightning-fast feet, reflexes, angles, he's gonna see what that's like. He definitely is. Good luck to him." Algieri said to himself. "Yes! Good luck to me!

In the third round, Algieri (28-0, 8 KO), is obviously in the survival mode. He just was trying to avoid as much punches from the eight division champion. Although Algieri landed some jabs that momentarily back Pacquiao on his track. But it is obviously Pacquiao who controls the pace and the fight. Pacquiao uses superior foot speed and lightning fast combinations to score whenever he wants. It is Algieri's tremendous physical condition that keeps him up in the third stanza. But swelling started to show on Algieri's handsome face.

In the fourth, the 35 year old Pacquiao focuses on Algieri's body. The 5'10' Algieri continued fighting on the back foot. He uses his jab to keep the 5' 6.5" Pacquiao off. But Pacquiao was able to slip and move in behind the 72" Algieri's reach and fired four to five unanswered combinations.

In the fifth, the 30 year old Algieri looks frustrated. He's behind the scorecards. His nose is bleeding. He breathes with his mouth. His head started to fall because of Pacquiao's body assaults.

In the sixth, the Kia Sorento head coach, started to mix his combinations. He fired shots to the body and ended to the head. Few seconds before round ends, a short left hook catches on Algieri's chin. He has no idea where in came from. Algieri went down. Face first. The referee did not bother to count. He waived it off. Manny Pacquiao KO6 Chris Algieri. Don't worry it's just my prediction. What's yours? Say it in the comments section.

[caption id="attachment_3017" align="alignnone" width="688"] Chris Algieri's right eye totally swollen shut after the fight.[/caption]

Chris Algieri stayed and hung tough, with eyes swollen shut, against hard punching Ruslan Provodnikov (23-3, 16 KO's) at Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York on Saturday night.

Algieri was put down twice in Round 1; first with a left hook that formed a nasty swelling on his right eye. And then flurry of punches forced him to take a knee. Algieri, still undefeated, now improved to 20-0, 8 KO's, ultimately survived an extremely rough first round and managed to go home as new light welterweight champion. The scores were 114-112, 114-112 and 109-117. I had it 114-112 as Algieri thrown more and landed more.

I re-watch Algieri’s fight with Wilfredo Acuna prior to this fight. In the Acuna fight, Algieri showed he can box. He utilized his height and jab to keep Acuna at bay.  Although, I predicted Provodnikov to win via TKO in Round 6, I feel that Algieri’s style poses several problems to a charging Provodnikov.

If Algieri survived the early onslaught he could finish the fight and ultimately go to the scorecards---but at the back of my mind---I don't think that Algieri can do so. But Algieri just did. Not just completed 12 rounds, but he snatched Provodnikov's belt in his (Provo) first title defense.

Most boxing observers favored Provo to win via knockout in their fight previews and prediction.

Algieri got up from the knockdowns he suffered in Round one and boxes well in the remainder of the fight.
He became active and outworks Provodnikov in punch output. He used the jab well; doubling it up when necessary and mixed it up from head and body. He circled around Provodnikov, moving to his left while keeping his guard up. At times Algieri clinched while on the ropes avoiding heavy shots from the champion.

Overall, Algieri used textbook tactics avoiding the most damaging punch. His long jab snapped back Provodnikov's head on several occasions that momentarily stop Provo on his track. Yet his fighting with one eye close.

In the post fight interview Algierei told that he started not able to see in round 8 and in Round 12 he’s “blind”.

Algieri showed what it takes to be a champion. He persevered in the ring with one eye against one of the hardest puncher in 140-147 pound division.

Algiere legs carried out the desired movement needed last night. He took several devastating body shots form Provodnikov. I thought that it will be a matter of few rounds Algieri's legs will betray him.

Accumulation of body punch usually puts boxers stationary.

A stationary Algieri will not last longer against the "Siberian Rocky". Provodnikov will finish the job quickly.

To Provodnikov credit he’s relatively dangerous opponent all night. Every round, it seemed to me that it’s just a matter of time when Provodnikov will land the game changing punch that will put Algieri for good. His pressure was relentless. But 12 rounds passed that time didn't come.

Provodnikov told Max Kellerman after the fight that, "I have to admit, runners are not my style. I like guys that stand there and fight with me. This is the worst style for me."

Although the ring they used for this fight is a bit smaller compared to the standard ring, which is Provo's advantage, he lacks the speed to catch the moving underdog.

"Power" (if it is the only arsenal of a fighter) it is usually overrated. Power should be combined with other qualities to be lethal. Speed and power is a deadly combination. A brawler with power and durability is lethal.

What's next for Algieri?

Top Rank boss Bob Arum said prior to the fight that the winner of Provodnikov-Algieri could be Manny Pacquiao's next opponent. Pacquiao is tentatively set to return in the ring on November 22, in Macau. Algieri believed he has chance to pull an upset against Pacquiao.

What's your take Amigo?