Chris Algieri Dominates Mikkel LesPierre In Comeback
Following nearly two full years away from the ring former WBO junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri (25-3, 9 KO’s) won his first fight back. He defeated Mikkel “Slikk Mikk” LesPierre (22-3-1, 10 KO’s) by way of dominant unanimous decision. Unfortunately for LesPierre, this marks back-to-back losses for the slick southpaw.
It’s unknown what Algieri will do at this point in his career. Ahead of the match neither Algieri nor LesPierre were ranked within the top fifteen of any of the major sanctioning bodies at welterweight. So for the moment, it would appear that Algieri will simply look to stay active and try climb back into the rankings.
ONE-WAY ACTION
The bout started with a very quick pace as LesPierre meant to test how much ring rust Algieri was dealing with. At the outset of his attack Algieri was just a bit hesitant, but by the conclusion of the first it was the former champion who was the aggressor and pressing the attack.
Where the two men fought on the move and at range in the first, they battled shoulder to shoulder in the second. Despite LesPierre being the fresher fighter it was Algieri who was far more aggressive and active.
By the middle rounds, Algieri was bouncing on his toes dictating the pace landing an obscene amount of left hooks. Along with the hooks he was thumping his adversary’s ribs and belly with gusto. In the sixth LesPierre might as well have been a punching bag for how much unanswered punishment he absorbed. Despite not being known for his power, Algieri tried to force the stoppage. With LesPierre unresponsive and listless Algieri hammered him against the ropes for an extended period of time.
Honestly speaking though, nothing overtly powerful landed and allowing the fight to continue was the right call. At that point in the bout, however, it was all academic. Algieri cruised through the tenth and final round and picked up the clear and wide unanimous decision win.
By: Bakari Simpson
