Chris Algieri (21-2, 8 KOs), like most fighters, remains confident in his abilities leading up to his showdown with Errol Spence Jr. (19-0, 16 KOs) on April 16 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
“[Spence] says he’s gonna try to knock me out—good luck. Come get it,” Algieri said at the card’s final workouts, which were held at the storied Gleason’s Gym. “Any guy that tries to knock me out is gonna come out losing.”
Algieri professed his confidence the day after the final press conference, having already done a number of the traditional stare downs. Algieri noted that he feels his height adds a bit to his own psychological edge.
“Spence isn’t used to looking up at anybody. He has to look up into my eyes. And I don’t think he’s used to looking at someone who isn’t afraid of him. He’s gonna have a whole different animal in front of him.”
Algieri was outspoken about his comfort in facing Spence, remarking that he’s not afraid of anyone who stands across from him in the ring—even someone as highly touted as Spence.
While many believe Spence to be the goods, Algieri believes the untested young Texan provides nothing he hasn’t already seen, and brings a number of weaknesses to the table as well.
“For a high-level prospect, he gets hit more than you would think. Even guys like Floyd Mayweather—when he was knocking guys out—he focused on his defense,” said Algieri.
“Experience plays a huge role,” Algieri continued, referencing his fights against Ruslan Provodnikov, Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan. Of those fights, Algieri only officially won the contest against Provodnikov, though many reporters and observers have called that decision in dispute.
But Algieri’s overall schooling in boxing is unmistakable. Algieri believes his past fights have helped him understand what it’s like to deal with distractions and the media frenzy that accompanies large-scale boxing events.
“Everything leading up to this fight, including training at this high of a level, to dealing with fight week emotions, to executing your game plan during the fight plays into it” said Algieri. “When you’ve been in with the guys I’ve been with, you’re learning to perform at your best.”
