FILIPINO-AMERICAN Brandon “The Truth” Vera believes that reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight titleholder Manny Pacquiao could score a knockout victory in the seventh round against unbeaten American Chris Algieri on November 23 in Macau, China.
Vera’s assessment was validated by boxing analyst Atty. Ed Tolentino, saying that Pacquiao’s early aggression and assault would most likely whip Algieri down on the canvass in the middle rounds.
“Vera’s prediction is right. Algieri is a boxer but he’s not a puncher. He is far to Manny’s level and at the same time he is tailored-fit to Pacquiao’s style,” Tolentino told The Manila Times.
“Manny is expected to stagger Algieri in the early rounds and avoid to get his rhythm back. When Algieri survived Ruslan Provodnikov, most of shots were on his left face that’s why this guy will fall because everybody knows that Manny’s left is very powerful. Manny will go for the kill in this fight and Algieri is not Juan Manuel Marquez who has a knockout punch. Tolentino added. “At the same time, he’s no Antonio Margarito who can survive that kind of beating.”
Vera, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) popular light heavyweight fighter who is now with the One Fighting Championship, said that the 35-year-old Pacquiao (56-5-2 win-loss-draw card with 38 knockouts) remains a true competitive warrior from the base of his feet and top of his head.
“Congressman Pacquiao. Yeah, I believe he will score a knockout in the seventh round against Chris Algieri,” Vera told The Manila Times during an interview at the Discovery Suites Hotel in Ortigas. “I always put my faith in him. I don’t know why but I’m sure he’ll score a knockout win.”
Vera also said that Pacquiao’s relentless speed and great timing plus the superb power would be the key to victory.
“Honestly, Pacquiao’s speed and counter-punching are among his weapons and I’m really impressed since the first time I watched him fight,” said the 37-year-old Vera, who is known to his wrestling prowess and Muay Thai technique in the cage.
Vera also said that Pacquiao’s involvement in the mixed martial arts business, when he bought a small stake at One FC, only means that MMA is the combat sports’ future.
“It’s not only Pacquiao who engages in MMA business but also Floyd Mayweather Jr. Mayweather’s promotion is also handling some MMA fighters now. They believe MMA is the future. No offense to boxing, where you’ll only see few good fighters like Pacquiao,” he explained.