Former Junior Welterweight titleholder Chris Algieri (21-3, 8 KOs) will be making his return to the ring this Friday when he takes on Angel Hernandez (14-11-2, 9 KOs).
The bout is scheduled to take place in Algieri’s hometown of Long Island New York at The Paramount.
It has been two and a half years since Chris last stepped into the ring. Algieri had grown accustomed to the big stage but will be making his return at a smaller venue. He has no doubts that this was the right way to make his return.
“We had options,” said Algieri during his press conference. “We didn’t have to fight at the Paramount. We could’ve fought for bigger money, a bigger show, a bigger fight but it just made sense to have my return to inside the ropes be in my home. That’s where it all started.”
Algeri has always fought the best opposition. In 2014 he climbed off the deck to defeat then WBO Jr. Welterweight titlist Ruslan Provodnikov.
He has also shared the ring with Amir Khan, current IBF champion Errol Spence Jr and future hall of famer Manny Pacquiao. Although he ultimately came up short in those bouts he has no doubts that he will once again become a champion.
“I’m here to be a world champion. I’m not here to get a couple good fights. I’m not here to make a pay day. I’m not here to be on TV. I’m here to be a world champion,” said Algieri. “That’s the goal. I’ve made my dreams come true before. I’m looking forward to doing it again and it’s going to start on November 30th.”
It isn’t just Chris that is confident that he is capable of making a run to another world title but also his new trainer Andre Rozier. “Chris is an elite fighter,” said Rozier. “Chris Algieri will be the Jr. Welterweight champion of the world before 2020. I give you that as my promise and my word.”
Chris and his team have made it clear what their intentions going forward are. First he will have to take care of business this Friday.
If he is able to come through that unscathed then it seems as though he has very big future plans.
