"The greatest thing about Chris Algieri is the better his competition and the better his opposition, the better he is. He always rises to the occasion. What he did to Ruslan, he did it with one eye. I thought he would have a flawless victory against Ruslan. I did not think Ruslan would be our toughest challenge, but Chris ended up getting hit and hurt in the first round," stated Tim Lane, world-class trainer of undefeated jr. welterweight champion Chris Algieri, who spoke about their upcoming showdown this Saturday with WBO welterweight chamion Manny Pacquiao. According to Lane, the fact that Pacquiao is a southpaw makes him an easier challenge than their previous opponent, hard-hitting former jr. welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov.
"When we were offered the Manny Pacquiao fight, I believe that this is not as tough a fight as Ruslan. Styles make fights and Manny Pacquiao, being a lefty and what he brings to the table, I do not feel that to be as challenging as Ruslan. I feel that Chris will dominate Pacquiao more so than he did Ruslan -- with two eyes," Lane explained during a recent conference call to promote the bout. "Maybe not an easier fight, but a more simple fight. It is a simpler game plan for me to get across to Chris, but the biggest thing is, and people don't know this, but Chris Algieri started his war in the ring with a lefty. He does better with lefties than he does with righties. I have been able to do certain things that have come out in his style against righties, but against lefties, he is a totally different fighter."
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