Chris Algieri is unsure if the rumored bout between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. will happen next year, but the former light welterweight champion believes that reigning pound-for-pound king has an edge over his rival.
Algieri, who is coming off a lopsided unanimous decision loss to Pacquiao in their welterweight title fight last month, expressed doubt about the possibility of seeing the two boxing superstars collide inside the ring.
"Personally, I do not think the fight is going to ever happen," Algieri said via BoxingScene. "They're not any closer to making it than they ever were, and I think that's really indicative that the fights really not going to happen."
But if the two camps eventually reach an agreement for the potential record-breaking fight, Algieri said that Mayweather will score an easy win against Pacquiao.
Despite being knocked down six times by Pacquiao in November, Algieri said that the Filipino boxing icon's style will not be effective against a fighter of Mayweather's caliber. The New Yorker said that Pacquiao could make the fight interesting, but he sees Mayweather cruising to an easy victory.
"Manny is a great fighter, but I don't think he's going to match up well with Floyd's particular style," Algieri said. "I don't think it's going to be a particularly exciting fight and I don't think it's going to be a particularly competitive fight. I've got Floyd winning that fight. Manny would definitely make it somewhat interesting."
Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya had the same prediction earlier this month. The Hall of Famer said that the Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight is too close to call, but he also picked the unbeaten welterweight and junior middleweight champion to win.
De La Hoya, who lost to both fighters before, said that Pacquiao would have beaten Mayweather three years ago, but the Grand Rapids, Michigan native has an edge at this point in terms of skills and confidence.
"It's one of those fights where anybody could win," De La Hoya said. "Who would I give the edge to if it was today, I would have to go with Floyd. Three years ago, hands down it would have been Manny Pacquiao. But now I would go with Floyd. If he fights Pacquiao, then Floyd will erase all doubts that anybody might have."
Mayweather, who holds a perfect 47-0 record with 26 knockouts, recently said that he is willing to face Pacquiao on Cinco De Mayo weekend on May 2 next year.
