Chris Algieri Preparing For First Boxing Fight Since 2016
Chris Algieri is looking to return to boxing after a lengthy absence from active competition.
According to ESPN, Algieri has signed with manager Keith Connolly and will be back with promoter Joe DeGuardia as Algieri is looking to get back into the mix at 140 pounds.
The 34-year-old Algieri will be returning to the weight class where he won the WBO junior welterweight title. Algieri spent the bulk of his career fighting in New York, winning his first 20 pro fights, including a split decision over Ruslan Provodnikov in 2014 to win the WBO world title at 140 pounds.
After winning his first world title, Algieri immediately jumped up in weight to challenge Manny Pacquiao in an attempt to win the WBO welterweight title. Algieri traveled out of the United States to Macau to face Pacquiao, but Algieri was overmatched, losing a unanimous decision to Pacquiao. Since the loss to Pacquiao, Algieri lost a fight to Amir Khan, rebounded with a win over Erick Bone and then got stopped by current IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. in April 2016. Algieri has not fought since then.
Since the loss to Spence, Algieri has remained involved in boxing, albeit as a nutritionist, most notably working with former WBA middleweight champion Daniel Jacobs, who is fighting for the vacant IBF title in October on an HBO card.