Former WBO junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri discusses Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor, as well as his transition from kickboxing to boxing.
If there’s one person who knows how to transition from one combat sport to boxing itself, it’s Chris Algieri (21-3, 8 KOs).
The former junior welterweight champion was a successful wrestler in high school, even becoming an assistant coach at his alma mater, and later became a professional kickboxer, before leaving kickboxing behind to fully concentrate on a career in boxing itself. Algieri went on to win his first 20 pro boxing bouts, including a comeback win over Ruslan Provodnikov to win the WBO 140-pound belt. Three of his ensuing four fights ended in losses, including a one-sided decision vs. Manny Pacquiao and a brutal stoppage loss to current IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr.
Algieri was recently interviewed on Talking With TK about UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor’s chances against Floyd Mayweather Jr, and while he unsurprisingly backs Mayweather to win, he provided some insight into how long it took for him to effectively make the move from kickboxing to boxing.
“They're boxing, so the boxer is going to win. I do think Floyd has enough power to stop him, he's fought 20-plus world champions in a row. At that level, every one hits hard. Conor can win a round I think early. Floyd will make him work to tire him out," Algieri said. (via Boxing Scene)
"Conor could win a round or two on high activity and doing more than Floyd is doing. Although I think Floyd will be setting things up for further rounds. When transitioning from kickboxing to boxing, I was always more of a boxer than a traditional kickboxer. Even still it took me 10 to 15 fights to figure it out.”
Mayweather’s last stoppage win came against Victor Ortiz in September 2011, albeit under crazy circumstances.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, August 26th. The fight will be broadcast live on Showtime pay-per-view.