Chris Algieri unfazed by losing his WBO belt
American says he is focused on Manny Pacquiao after being forced to relinquish his world light welterweight title
Unbeaten American challenger Chris Algieri says he remains focused on fighting Manny Pacquiao in this month's Clash In Cotai II despite being forced to relinquish his WBO (World Boxing Organisation) light welterweight title.
My team behind me is handling the WBO situation and we are hopeful that it can be resolved before the fight
The 30-year-old New Yorker (20-0-0, 8 KOs) lifted the title in June by defeating Russia's Ruslan Provodnikov in a massive upset, but in a surprise move he's been stripped of his 140-pound title ahead of the November 23 fight at Cotai Arena in Venetian Macao.
Algieri is challenging Pacquiao's 147-pound WBO welterweight title, although the fight is set at a catch-weight of 144.
Pacquiao said recently he'll be fighting in the 140-pound division in future, especially if the Filipino is unable to reach an agreement to fight Floyd Mayweather Jnr next year.
Pacquiao would command a higher sanctioning fee if he moved to a lower weight division and line himself up for another big pay day against the likes of American Danny Garcia, who holds the WBC (World Boxing Council) and WBA (World Boxing Association) light welterweight world crowns.
Losing his world title without having a chance to defend it has come as a blow for Algieri, but the American remains unfazed by the situation.