Manny Pacquiao going to Macao, China, for Chris Algieri bout

The site for the Manny Pacquiao-Chris Algieri fight on Nov. 22 has been announced: Macao, China.

Manny Pacquiao fighting in the gambling mecca of Macao? That’s a slam-dunk proposition for the Filipino superstar and his promoter.

In addition to Pacquiao bypassing U.S. taxes and locking in a can’t-miss sellout generated by a
loose-spending captive audience, the boxer’s next appearance will include a rich underdog story.

Algieri, a 20-0 New Yorker and former kickboxer, elevated himself to a shot at Pacquiao by winning the World Boxing Organization light-welterweight title June 14 in a split-decision over hard-hitting Ruslan Provodnikov.

Before that bout, Provodnikov told his trainer Freddie Roach -- better known as Pacquiao’s trainer -- that he wanted a shot at his former sparring partner, mostly because of the riches such a date guaranteed. Then Algieri pulled the upset.

“It’s a good story … the kid showed he can hang in there with anybody by beating Provodnikov, and he brings a lot of fresh air into boxing – a college kid, articulate,” Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum said.

“Good boxer with a lot of skill honed as a kickboxer. He’s really a martial artist and he’ll
be difficult to hit and follow – gutty kid.”

Arum said Algieri’s proven ability to take not only a punch, but a kick, boosts his credibility to make the bout against power-punching Pacquiao one that could entertain through 12 rounds. Algieri out-boxed Provodnikov to survive early knockdowns.

Algieri’s cause was also helped immensely by the fact that Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez
balked at a fifth meeting against Pacquiao.

Marquez, who beat Mike Alvarado at the Forum in Inglewood in May, has maintained he’s
content with the memory of knocking out Pacquiao in their December 2012 fight in Las Vegas after suffering through a draw and two narrow losses by decision.

In addition to what Arum called the “big, big economic advantage” of not having his purse
subject to U.S. taxes, as he’s navigated tax trouble both here and in the Phillipines in recent years, Pacquiao (56-5-2) will fight near his training home in the Philippines and be feted during another showcase event after beating Brandon Rios in Macao last fall.

Arum said Algieri will train in New York, and added there’ll be a press tour with the fighters that will come to Los Angeles and New York soon after Labor Day.

The fight will be shown on HBO pay-per-view.