After completing a 12-day, 27,273 mile international media tour, one would think a nice rest would be in order. For Chris Algieri though, that simply hasn’t been the case. Then again, there are not any fighters in the world quite like the undefeated WBO junior welterweight champion and Huntington native, who is set to take on Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight-division world champion, on Saturday, November 22. The Pacquiao vs. Algieri world welterweight championship event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.
“We officially completed the media tour Friday afternoon, and immediately following our last interview I headed straight to some additional business meetings I had scheduled for myself and my team,” said Algieri. “On Saturday I was a Grand Marshall at the Fifth Annual Huntington Awareness Day parade, and then on Sunday morning I did a five-mile run to help shake off the jet lag. Monday I was back at the boxing gym. If you let it, a tour like that can take a lot out of you, but I made sure I was getting my work in and training in some aspect every day with my head trainer Tim Lane, so when I got back I would be ready to go.”
Algieri’s schedule has yet to let up, and he sees no break anywhere in the immediate future. While this might serve as a distraction for some fighters, Algieri thrives on it and sees it as added motivation.
“Everyday we have something else going on, and I love meeting everyone, from dignitaries, media and fans alike. I was at the Yankee game last Tuesday, and while I was there to just watch the game, I ended up doing a few interviews and met with a bunch of fans. It is great to see so many different people recognizing me, and not just boxing people, everyday sports fans. I always envisioned myself being at this level, but for me it’s not just about getting here, it’s about staying here.”
Algieri’s crossover appeal has been quite evident thus far throughout the promotion. While the fight has expectedly experienced major coverage throughout the boxing world, it is the more main stream media outlets’ interest that has come as somewhat of a surprise to some. On Tuesday, Algieri, who has both an undergraduate and masters degree, and has aspirations on going back to continue his medical studies once his boxing career is over, was a guest on Fox 5 New York’s top-rated “Good Day New York” morning show, and later in the afternoon dropped by Fox Business’ “Varney & Co,” his second appearance on the show in the last two months (and fourth since his thrilling HBO victory over Ruslan Provodnokov).
“People ask me all the time when do I get tired. What they don’t realize though is that I have been doing this for so long. Throughout my entire career I have been striving for this moment and it is so rewarding to see so many of the things I have worked so long for finally coming to fruition.”
With Algieri’s schedule so hectic people might begin to question how he has time to get in the proper training, and if he is losing focus on the task at hand, but Algieri simply flashes a smile that oozes with confidence, that same smile that was scene throughout the entire media tour.
“The people who know me best, my team, know that this is nothing new. We have a set schedule and game plan for our training and we don’t deviate from it. During the tour people were shocked to see the shape that I was already in. I am not one of those guys that blows up between fights or just sits at home and get out of shape. I am active year-round. That is where I came up with the Champion Lifestyle brand. It is a way of life for me and has been for my entire career.”
With the fight just under 10 weeks away, the momentum around Algieri continues to rise both locally at home in New York and across the globe in meteoric proportions.
“We have a number of big interviews already lined up. It seems like there is a different major media outlet requesting to come down to the gym everyday. Last Saturday, after the parade, we held a meet-and-greet in downtown Huntington and the turn-out was fantastic. This Friday I will be on the ‘Fox & Friends’ morning show (Fox News), and then Saturday I am competing in the Capital One Bank Great Cow Harbor 10K Run. The Great Cow Harbor 10-Kilometer Run is one of the most prestigious foot races in the country and the fact that it takes place in Long Island makes it even more that special for me to be a part of it.”
Algieri is set to begin sparring the first week in October, before heading to Vegas on October 11 to finish up his training camp with head-coach Tim Lane. Before the really grueling part of camp begins though, a real treat is in store for boxing’s newest star.
“I just found out this week that on Saturday, September 27, my alma mater, Stony Brook University, where I received my undergraduate degree, is turning their annual Wolfstock Homecoming into “Chris Algieri Day.” I will be doing the coin toss to start the football game between my beloved Seawolves and William & Mary and I am told they have a number of things lined up for me, but they are keeping me in the dark about a lot of it, as they want it to be a surprise. It should be a fantastic time and I am really looking forward to what they have in store.”
A victory on November 22 will propel Algieri into the top of the pound-for-pound ratings, and see the emergence of boxing’s newest SUPERrstar. To that notion, the charismatic and articulate Algieri had just a simple three-word answer.
“I can’t wait.”
Algieri Interview on Fox 5 Good Day New York (Tuesday, Sept. 16)
Part 1: http://www.myfoxny.com/clip/10588593/chris-algieri-1
Part 2: http://www.myfoxny.com/clip/10588602/chris-algieri-2
Part 3: http://www.myfoxny.com/clip/10588601/chris-algieri-3
Pacquiao (56-4-3), the Filipino icon, defends his WBO welterweight title against Algieri (20-0), the scholar-fighter, Saturday, November 22, at The Venetian® Macao’s Cotai Arena. Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with MP Promotions, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, Banner Promotions and Tecate,the Pacquiao vs. Algieri world welterweight championship event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®,beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.
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