Manny Pacquiao's assistant trainer, Buboy Fernandez, said that the reigning World Boxing Organization welterweight champion should be too confident heading into his showdown against Chris Algieri on Nov. 22 in Macau, China.
Fernandez said in an interview with The Philippine Star that most analysts are underestimating Algieri's punching power, but if Pacquiao allows the unbeaten challenger to gain confidence, the long-time assistant trainer admitted that they could be in trouble.
"Manny has to watch out for his left jab, left hook and right uppercut down the middle," Fernandez said. "Those are the three things Algieri likes to throw."
Algieri, who holds an impressive 20-0 record with eight of his victories coming by way of knockout, said in an interview with Tha Boxing Voice that he is indeed planning to use his effective left jab to get Pacquiao out of his rhythm in their upcoming 12-round title fight.
"Manny is the king of in and out," Algieri said. "He's a fast and explosive guy, but he's a rhythm fighter. Keeping him at the end of the jab and keep him in control and to offset his rhythm is the name of the game."
Fernandez is particularly worried of Algieri's left hook, saying that it is the deadliest punch of the Huntington, New York native. But if Pacquiao follows their fight plan, Fernandez is confident that the former pound-for-pound king will win because he has faced fighters who have the same style as Algieri before like Antonio Margarito and Erik Morales.
"Margarito fights back when you push him to the ropes and Algieri does that sometimes," Fernandez said. "With Morales, he likes to slip out which Algieri also does. Manny knows how to deal with both styles. So he won't be surprised whatever Algieri does."
And when asked if Pacquiao could score his first knockout win since his 12th-round stoppage victory against Miguel Cotto in 2009, Fernandez said that it will depend on how Algieri is planning to engage in the Nov. 22 showdown.
"If he runs, it will take a little more time to catch him," Fernandez said. "If Algieri doesn't run, it will take less time. I think Manny's too quick for Algieri. If Algieri runs, Manny will attack and it will just be a matter of time before he knocks him out."
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