One of the best boxing referees in the world -- Joe Cortez -- has commented on two of Manny Pacquiao's biggest opponents, Chris Algieri and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Cortez says that a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight will happen in 2015 if Pacquiao beats Algieri.
According to the "On The Ropes Boxing," the expert weighed in on the upcoming Nov. 22 match between defending WBO World Welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao and challenger Chris Algieri in Macau.
Cortez, a Hall of Famer referee, revealed that he believes Algieri is going to make it tough for the Filipino boxing legend.
"I think it will be a very difficult fight for Pacquiao. I think Pacquiao may not get through this kid. This kid is like 5'10 and he has great boxing skills, he has a long jab. He's gonna keep Pacquiao at a distance, Pacquiao is gonna try to come in and put him away. Pacquiao is gonna have his hands full," said Cortez.
He added: "Chris Algieri is not the hardest puncher in the world but he proved when he fought Provodnikov what kind of a style he has. He's very difficult to hit and stays so very active with a lot of combinations and if he keeps Pacquiao at a distance, he's gonna box him all night long and he's gonna win a decision."
Cortez also notes that the result of the upcoming fight will determine if a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight will happen next year. He predicts that if the PacMan, 35, losses to Algieri, 30, it may diminish interest in a Pacquiao-Mayweather match making a 2015 match unlikely.
"For boxing, I hope Pacquiao wins because I'd like to see him and Mayweather get it on finally but I think Chris Algieri is gonna give him a very difficult fight. It can be an upset," said the referee with over three decades of experience supervising fights.
"I think that Mayweather and Pacquiao, they're both coming to the end of their careers and they're probably saying, 'Let's give the fans one last hurrah, lets do the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight in 2015.' But again, like I said, Chris Algieri may be an obstacle that could put a stop to all of this."
Speaking on the age-factor and comments that both fighters may be "slipping," Cortez notes that while all fighters slip a bit at a certain age, he thinks Mayweather, 37, isn't in the danger zone but Pacquiao might be.
"That fight is a fight that I see Mayweather winning by decision because Mayweather still has those skills. Pacquiao getting knocked out by Marquez, and he looked okay when he fought Brandon Rios in Macau, China but he's slipping a lot too. He's slipping a lot more than Mayweather is, so I gotta go with Mayweather on that one," concluded the the retired boxer.
