Algieri, Now With Jackson, Hungry To Face Amir Khan
Posted by: Rick Reeno on 4/1/2015 .
By Rick Reeno
Former WBO junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri (20-1, 8KOs) is not looking for a tuneup in his comeback. He wants to answer the call of British superstar Amir Khan (30-3, 19KOs).
Algieri's name has been mentioned as possible opponent for Khan's return, which is slated for late May.
The Long Island fighter is coming off his first career defeat, a November twelve round decision loss to Manny Pacquiao in Macau, China. Pacquiao was unable to stop Algieri, who went down six times in the contest
2014 was not all bad. Algieri started the year off with a decision win over Emmanuel Taylor and in June he made his HBO debut with an upset split decision to capture the WBO 140-pound title from Ruslan Provodnikov.
Now his focus is firmly set on getting Khan in the ring. There have been some discussions and Algieri hopes to be the fighter opposite Khan come May.
"It's been talked about for a little while. I personally love the fight. I thought that I was the frontrunner for that fight and I hope I still am. I'd like to take that fight immediately," Algieri told BoxingScene.com.
"I'm coming off three tough fights in a row. That's just the way my career goes. I'm not with a major promotional company that is able to move me in a certain way. I've had to earn every step every step that I've made in my career and you earn those kinds of steps by taking big fights."
When Khan made his American debut in 2010, he entered the ring against Paulie Malignaggi - another fast boxer from New York. Khan was stronger, and faster, and overwhelmed Malignaggi for a stoppage win in eleven. Algieri believes he can succeed where Malignaggi fell short.
"Paulie is not as a physical fighter as I am. I think that I can impose my size. I've got a couple of inches on Khan. Our reach is pretty much the same. I'm a pretty strong guy and I can use that. I don't think Paulie had that ability. He was really a pure boxer trying to jab a guy who was longer than him and when you're trying to jab a guy who is longer and fast, that's a tough uphill battle," Algieri said.
And while Algieri had some trouble with Pacquiao's speed, he's not anticipating the same type of issues with Khan.
"I don't think Khan is as fast as Pacquiao. Pacuqiao is a different level of speed I think and he's also a better puncher. Not that Khan is not a good puncher but there are different levels. The experience factor gave me more trouble than anything else with Pacquiao, even more than his speed. The guy is a damn good fighter and he's been in with the best of the best of this decade," Algieri.
Algieri also revealed to BoxingScene that he made a few changes since the loss to Pacquiao. He has a new head trainer in John David Jackson, who works with several recognized names like unified 175-pound champion Sergey Kovalev. Algieri will still continues to work with his current team, which includes longtime trainer Tim Lane. But Jackson is now running the corner and Algieri's training camps.
"We've started working with John David Jackson. I've gone down to Florida a couple of times to kind of see how we mesh and its been a great experience so far. The synergy is there. I'm excited. We're all excited," Algieri said. "I'm a loyal guy and I'm not going to cut people off the team. John is going to be my head trainer and I'll be going down there for training camp. But I wouldn't be where I'm at today without my other trainers."
If Algieri is unable to secure Khan, he does have other options. Algieri has an ace up his sleeve with the WBO guaranteeing him a world title shot. On April 18th, Terence Crawford and Thomas Dulorme will clash in an HBO televised fight for the vacant WBO 140-pound title.
The WBO has already ordered the Crawford-Dulorme winner to immediately face Algieri, who never lost his title in the ring. The WBO stripped him due to his decision to move up in weight to face Pacquiao for the WBO title at 147-pounds.
Even with a guaranteed crack to reclaim his belt, Algieri sees Khan as the much better play.
"At this point I'm looking for a big fight and a big opportunity. Its not just about the money, he's a big name. I just came of fighting Manny Pacquiao, one of the biggest names in the sport and I want to stay at that level - and I think the Khan fight is great for that. There are still options for us to go back to 140 and get the title that is rightfully mine. I never lost that title. So we have a lot of options and I want to get back in the ring and get a really big fight," Algieri said.
http://www.boxingscene.com/algieri-now-with-jackson-hungry-face-amir-khan--89196
Im curious to see how Algieri and Jackson turn out. Anything has to be an upgrade over what he had previously though
Posted by: Rick Reeno on 4/1/2015 .
By Rick Reeno
Former WBO junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri (20-1, 8KOs) is not looking for a tuneup in his comeback. He wants to answer the call of British superstar Amir Khan (30-3, 19KOs).
Algieri's name has been mentioned as possible opponent for Khan's return, which is slated for late May.
The Long Island fighter is coming off his first career defeat, a November twelve round decision loss to Manny Pacquiao in Macau, China. Pacquiao was unable to stop Algieri, who went down six times in the contest
2014 was not all bad. Algieri started the year off with a decision win over Emmanuel Taylor and in June he made his HBO debut with an upset split decision to capture the WBO 140-pound title from Ruslan Provodnikov.
Now his focus is firmly set on getting Khan in the ring. There have been some discussions and Algieri hopes to be the fighter opposite Khan come May.
"It's been talked about for a little while. I personally love the fight. I thought that I was the frontrunner for that fight and I hope I still am. I'd like to take that fight immediately," Algieri told BoxingScene.com.
"I'm coming off three tough fights in a row. That's just the way my career goes. I'm not with a major promotional company that is able to move me in a certain way. I've had to earn every step every step that I've made in my career and you earn those kinds of steps by taking big fights."
When Khan made his American debut in 2010, he entered the ring against Paulie Malignaggi - another fast boxer from New York. Khan was stronger, and faster, and overwhelmed Malignaggi for a stoppage win in eleven. Algieri believes he can succeed where Malignaggi fell short.
"Paulie is not as a physical fighter as I am. I think that I can impose my size. I've got a couple of inches on Khan. Our reach is pretty much the same. I'm a pretty strong guy and I can use that. I don't think Paulie had that ability. He was really a pure boxer trying to jab a guy who was longer than him and when you're trying to jab a guy who is longer and fast, that's a tough uphill battle," Algieri said.
And while Algieri had some trouble with Pacquiao's speed, he's not anticipating the same type of issues with Khan.
"I don't think Khan is as fast as Pacquiao. Pacuqiao is a different level of speed I think and he's also a better puncher. Not that Khan is not a good puncher but there are different levels. The experience factor gave me more trouble than anything else with Pacquiao, even more than his speed. The guy is a damn good fighter and he's been in with the best of the best of this decade," Algieri.
Algieri also revealed to BoxingScene that he made a few changes since the loss to Pacquiao. He has a new head trainer in John David Jackson, who works with several recognized names like unified 175-pound champion Sergey Kovalev. Algieri will still continues to work with his current team, which includes longtime trainer Tim Lane. But Jackson is now running the corner and Algieri's training camps.
"We've started working with John David Jackson. I've gone down to Florida a couple of times to kind of see how we mesh and its been a great experience so far. The synergy is there. I'm excited. We're all excited," Algieri said. "I'm a loyal guy and I'm not going to cut people off the team. John is going to be my head trainer and I'll be going down there for training camp. But I wouldn't be where I'm at today without my other trainers."
If Algieri is unable to secure Khan, he does have other options. Algieri has an ace up his sleeve with the WBO guaranteeing him a world title shot. On April 18th, Terence Crawford and Thomas Dulorme will clash in an HBO televised fight for the vacant WBO 140-pound title.
The WBO has already ordered the Crawford-Dulorme winner to immediately face Algieri, who never lost his title in the ring. The WBO stripped him due to his decision to move up in weight to face Pacquiao for the WBO title at 147-pounds.
Even with a guaranteed crack to reclaim his belt, Algieri sees Khan as the much better play.
"At this point I'm looking for a big fight and a big opportunity. Its not just about the money, he's a big name. I just came of fighting Manny Pacquiao, one of the biggest names in the sport and I want to stay at that level - and I think the Khan fight is great for that. There are still options for us to go back to 140 and get the title that is rightfully mine. I never lost that title. So we have a lot of options and I want to get back in the ring and get a really big fight," Algieri said.
http://www.boxingscene.com/algieri-now-with-jackson-hungry-face-amir-khan--89196
Im curious to see how Algieri and Jackson turn out. Anything has to be an upgrade over what he had previously though
just needs someone more experienced to get the edge at the top