By Peter Schwartz
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On November 22, fans all over Long Island will be cheering for the home team as they attend viewing parties for the main event.
No, they’re not getting ready for a big Islanders game, although maybe that’ll happen at some point this season.
That night, fans will be parked in front of televisions in their homes or at sports bars rooting on Huntington native Chris Algieri as he challenges Manny Pacquiao for the WBO welterweight title in China (HBO Pay-Per-View, 9 p.m. ET).
“The viewing parties are going to be very numerous on Long Island,” Algieri said. “I know a bunch of them are being set up to be official ‘Team Algieri’ parties.”
Algieri’s popularity skyrocketed when he won the WBO junior welterweight title back in June, beating Ruslan Provodnikov in a split decision at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
By winning the belt and improving to 20-0, Algieri hit the big time.
“I knew that we would get here eventually,” Algieri said. “It’s just surreal how fast everything turned around so we really turned the corner. The opportunity arose and I’ve just been sprinting full-speed ahead. For the most part, I feel that I’m built for this stuff and I’m really relishing the moment.”
The big moment is getting closer as Algieri continues his preparations for Pacquiao.
After a whirlwind press tour, Algieri began training camp on Long Island but will soon be on the road again. He’ll be heading out to Las Vegas to complete camp before departing for the Far East.
“Training is going great so far,” said Algieri. “A couple of weeks from now we’ll be headed to China and getting ready to make some history.”
Chris Algieri with the WBO junior welterweight belt (credit: Sternburg Communications)
Making history will be easier said than done against Pacquiao, who brings a 56-4-3 record into the fight. He’s the only boxer to be a champion in eight different weight classes and clearly has the edge in experience.
“There’s nobody in the world like Manny Pacquiao,” Algieri said. “He’s got a very awkward style and he brings a lot of speed and power. The experience level is definitely something to think about and is very difficult to prepare for.”
Algieri’s road to this fight has been a fascinating ride.
He received a bachelor’s degree in healthcare science from Stony Brook University as well as a master’s degree from New York Institute of Technology. Algieri is a certified clinical/fitness nutritionist.
His career of mixing it up with opponents actually began with martial arts training before becoming a professional kickboxer at the age of 19. Algieri was a two-time World Champion and compiled a record of 20-0 before he retired from kickboxing to enter the squared circle.
He made a name for himself after getting signed by promoter Joe Deguardia’s Star Boxing. Algieri then made his way up the rankings while having a number of fights at the Paramount Theatre in his hometown of Huntington.
Not bad for someone who hails from a community that is not exactly known as a boxing hotbed.
“Long Island is not really looked at as a place where a lot of top quality or world class boxers are coming out of,” said Algieri. “We have a lot of talent in this relatively small island and I think we’re going to put a little more of a name on the map for Long Island.”
When you think about Long Island and boxing, the name Gerry Cooney comes to mind.
The heavyweight, also from Algieri’s hometown of Huntington, rose to fame in the early 1980s and fought Larry Holmes for the world title in 1982 but lost by TKO in the 13th round.
By virtue of their Long Island ties, Algieri and Cooney have become friends.
“Gerry is a buddy of mine and I literally talk to him every other week,” said Algieri. “He’s been a great asset for me. He’s someone who’s been in similar situations and comes from the same place so it’s really cool to have someone like him to be able to reach out and talk to.”
While Cooney came up short in his title quest, Algieri already holds a championship belt but is looking for more against Pacquiao. He’s going to get his big payday (reportedly $1.4 million) for this bout at the Venetian Macao, but he’s not traveling all the way to China just to cash a paycheck.
He’s looking to win.
“I’m very hungry for this fight,” said Algieri. “I’m training very hard. We’ve got a great game plan and I’m feeling very confident even this far out and it’s only going to grow as we get closer.”
Chris Algieri was an underdog going into the title fight against Ruslan Provodnikov in June and won. He’s an underdog again for the bout with Manny Pacquiao. Algieri has defied the odds his whole life. Who’s to say he can’t do it again on November 22?
After all, he’s from “Strong Island!”
For more on the Algieri vs. Pacquiao fight, visit the bout’s website.
Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @pschwartzcbsfan. You can also follow Chris Algieri @ChrisAlgieri and the fight @PacmanAlgieri.
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