Chris Algieri struggles to make weight for Manny Pacquiao fight
American sneaks in on his third attempt for Clash in Cotai II
Chris Algieri has a Master's degree in clinical nutrition, but still struggled to make the weight for Sunday’s Clash in Cotai II.
Algieri came in over the 144lb catch weight limit, and although he came back within the alloted two hours to make weight, it wasn’t the start the unbeaten New Yorker would have liked.
Philippines icon Manny Pacquiao weighed in at 143.8 pounds and would have his confidence slightly boosted by Algieri’s embarrassing hiccup as he puts his WBO world welterweight title on the line at the Cotai Arena.
Algieri’s camp said the 30-year-old from Long Island was more than ready for the fight, but his weight scare, in front of a live US audience, raise questions as to whether he was fully prepared for the biggest fight of his life. After he tipped the scales at 144.4 pounds, he stripped naked and had another go but was still 0.2lb over. He later made weight at 143.6,
Algieri’s father, Dominic, was a nervous wreck and was at loss to explain the misfiring start.
“We are really excited ... it’s been too much. I have been up since three o’clock this morning. Every couple of hours, I sleep, that’s it,” said Dominic Algieri.