Update | Chris who? Unknown Algieri takes 'chance of lifetime' to fight Manny Pacquiao in Macau
A month ago, American Chris Algieri was unknown - he has since won a WBO title and has been confirmed as the Filipino superstar's next opponent
A senior Top Rank official has defended Manny Pacquiao's decision to fight little-known American Chris Algieri when the Philippine star returns to Macau's Cotai Arena in November.
Brad Jacobs, executive event producer for co-promoters Top Rank, said fans would want to see a potential "Cinderella story" with Algieri given the chance of a lifetime against one of the biggest names in boxing.
Algieri was a complete unknown until he won the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) light welterweight title last month, defeating champion Ruslan Provodnikov, of Russia, in a split decision.
Here's a guy [Algieri] who no one had heard of a month ago and now he's talked about
The American has now been confirmed as the eight-division world champion's opponent on November 23.
"That's part of the beauty of boxing," said Jacobs, who is in Macau for this weekend's Champions of Gold.
"Here's a guy [Algieri] who no one had heard of a month ago and now he's talked about, his abilities are being recognised and he fought on a high-profile card against a well-known fighter.
"Algieri looked completely outclassed, outgunned in the first round [he was knocked down twice] and he came back and won the fight over the distance. A lot of kudos to him. To have someone come from nowhere and become a star overnight, the opportunity is there," he said.