Manny Pacquiao vs. Chris Algieri: Analyzing Twitter Buzz Ahead of Hyped Fight
The hype is beginning to build at a fever pitch for Saturday's Manny Pacquiao vs. Chris Algieri bout. There is intrigue about the fight itself, but with buzz mounting for a Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. clash in May, Saturday night's bout has taken on even more significance.
Pacquiao and Foot Locker teamed up for a hilarious commercial that's part of the company's Week of Greatness campaign. Several athletes, including Derrick Rose, Tim Duncan and WWE's John Cena, have cut their own spots.
Pacquiao's is perhaps the most entertaining because he uses it to take a shot at Mayweather's perceived disinterest in facing him. Check it out:
Manny Pacquiao baits Floyd Mayweather in a new @footlocker commercial. ' http://t.co/T2CkMqMvEV
- SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 20, 2014
Despite the fact that the bout appears to be taking shape, some skeptics aren't convinced this time is any different than the other instances when the world thought the two would fight.
Tru Boxing Headz and Steve Kim of UCN Live aren't ready to organize a May fight party just yet:
November 2nd 2054 At HBO Retirement Home Pacquiao Vs Mayweather @6thasylm photo edit #Boxing #NotHappening we move on http://ift.tt/1z48ANO
- TRU Boxing Headz (@TRUBoxingHeadz) November 21, 2014
So last week Bob Arum said Mayweather wants nothing to do with Pacquiao. Now, there are negotiations taking place? Oy vey!! #boxing
- Steve Kim (@steveucnlive) November 18, 2014
Pacquiao would likely lose his opportunity to face Mayweather if he were to fall to Algieri. Theoretically, it could still happen, but Pacquiao wouldn't carry as much appeal for Mayweather coming off a loss.
Based on what Pacquiao has been saying of late, he doesn't plan on losing. Speed will be a major factor in this fight. Algieri used his swiftness to outbox Ruslan Provodnikov in his last bout. Per this tweet by Ryan Songalia of Ring Magazine, Pacquiao doesn't think Algieri is ready for his speed.
Asked @MannyPacquiao if he thinks Chris Algieri is prepared for his speed. He says: 'Did you hear what Bradley said?' http://ift.tt/1qIvhZ3
- Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) November 19, 2014
Pac-Man is referring to a quote from former rival Timothy 'Desert Storm' Bradley, who praised the Filipino legend's speed.
Per Greg Logan of Newsday, Bradley said, 'Oh, man. He's going to learn Nov. 22 what fast is all about. Manny Pacquiao? Lightning-fast, reflexes, angles. He's going to see what that's like. He definitely is. Good luck to him, though, man.'
Granted, the context in which Bradley made these comments was in defense of himself. Algieri implied he was faster than Bradley, and Desert Storm took exception.
Songalia has been close to Pacquiao's training camp, and he has been lauding the fighter's form:
This is the absolute best I've ever seen Manny Pacquiao look before a fight. He's in unbelievable form mentally and physically #pacalgieri
- Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) November 21, 2014
The Los Angeles Times' Lance Pugmire quotes Pacquiao's cut man, Miguel Diaz, who offered the following endorsement of his fighter:
As he wrapped up the session, cut man Miguel Diaz applauded Pacquiao and said, 'He's in shape.' http://ift.tt/1z48zt6
- Lance Pugmire (@latimespugmire) November 21, 2014
Algieri knows what he's going up against, but the athletic and long American has seemingly unwavering confidence.
He was floored twice in the first round against Provodnikov and looked to be headed for a quick dismissal, but he kept his wits about him and proceeded to dismantle the Siberian for much of the remaining rounds.
Algieri's jab is his best punch. It could be especially valuable against a fighter who is as quick as Pacquiao and 3.5 inches shorter. Per Michael Woods of The Sweet Science, legendary trainer Virgil Hunter loves Algieri's jab:
Virgil says Algieri jab is nasty and snapping..but if he relies on it, leaves lane open for Manny left, no?
- Michael Woods (@Woodsy1069) November 21, 2014
You can watch Hunter and Bradley discuss the bout with HBO's Max Kellerman on the network's Under the Lights program. If you haven't seen it and you love boxing, it's a must-watch.
Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, has made a plethora of statements disrespecting Algieri. You decide where bravado ends and truthful projections about Saturday's fight begin:
Freddie Roach says Pacquiao's sparring partner Viktor Postol has a better jab than Chris Algieri #boxing #pacalgieri
- Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) November 21, 2014
Freddie Roach says Chris Algieri 'doesn't belong in the same ring' with Manny Pacquiao #WatchOnTheGo @rapplerdotcom #pacalgieri
- Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) November 21, 2014
There's no doubt that Algieri has the physical tools to give Pacquiao some issues. This interview with ESNewsReporting's Elie Seckbach shows just how confident the 31-year-old is about his chances of pulling his second major upset in 2014:
Chris Algieri Reaction To Roach Saying Manny Will KO Him In 1 Rd - esnew...: http://t.co/ZBAGs9aUM2 via @YouTube
- Elie Seckbach (@Seckbach) November 20, 2014
He responds to Roach saying Pacquiao will KO him in the very first round.
Could we be looking at an ultra-aggressive Pacquiao making a statement to build the hype for a battle with Mayweather? Or might we be in store for an unexpected and competitive clash of styles that proves to be all or more than Pacquiao can handle?
I can't wait to find out.
Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.
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