Chris Algieri hoping to return to championship form
Former WBO super lightweight champion Chris Algieri (22-3, 8KOs) is hoping that a victory against stablemate Daniel Gonzalez (17-1-1, 7KOs), can lead to a championship bout.
The New York native has had some ups and downs since wining the junior welterweight title in 2014. He took a controversial split decision against Ruslan Provodnikov along with the WBO title.
Other high profile fights would follow, but ended in devastating defeats. As a result, he took a two year hiatus from competing and decided to focus more on being a nutritionist for some of the top fighters of the sport.
Algieri would return in November 2018 with new trainer Andre Rozier. The old Algieri was on display as he outboxed Angel Hernandez over ten rounds.
The 34 year old understands he has to continue to build his way back into title contention. Gonzalez will be another stone that helps build the step towards that goal.
Algieri is going to have a tough time in a division that is stacked with tough challengers and tougher champions. What’s left in the tank will be a huge question once he starts challenging tougher opposition.
It’s worth noting that the former champion never lost a fight at junior welterweight. It wasn’t until moving up to welterweight where the lack of power became a factor.
January 18 will be extra motivating as he will be fighting in front of his home crowd once again.
Watch him live on the under-card of Demetrius Andrade vs Artur Akavov at the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York.
By: Garrisson Bland
