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Undefeated WBO junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri may be in training camp learning how to beat Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, but this weekend it will be his alma mater that takes him to school.
Stony Brook University, where Algieri graduated with Honors in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Management, will host Chris as the Alumni Fan of the Game at Saturday’s annual Wolfstock Homecoming celebration among 11,000 fans and present to him a proclamation from Suffolk County Supervisor Steven Ballone declaring September 27 to be “Chris Algieri Day.”
“This is an incredible honor. Stony Brook has played such an important part in my life personally and professionally, “said Algieri. “I am confident my Seawolves can do to William & Mary on Saturday what I did to Ruslan Provodnikov last June; pull off a big win.”
Algieri is scheduled to arrive on campus at 100 Nicolls Rd., Stony Brook, NY 11790, at 3:30 p.m. Here is a summary of his activities:
· Welcomed at LaValle Stadium by Stony Brook President Dr. Samuel L Stanley
· Interview on Stony Brook University’s School of Journalism “Wolfstock Live” student broadcast
· Pregame on-field presentations and ceremonies before the Seawolves vs. William & Mary football game
· Watching the game from the President’s Suite with Dr. Stanley and Dexter Bailey, Senior Vice President for University Advancement
· End of First Quarter on-field recognition as the Alumnus of the Game
· Second Quarter participation in Alumni/Student Contest
· Special Halftime Presentation from Algieri to President Stanley
Algieri (20-0, 8 KOs), from Huntington, NY on Long Island, has become boxing’s No. 1 story, as well as being hailed as the 21st century real-life Rocky. Over the last 22 months Algieri, a former kickboxing champion, has elevated himself from a prospect to a world-class contender to a world champion.
After accumulating significant victories over top prospect Jose Alejo, former USBA champion Mike Arnaoutis, and highly-rated contender Emmanuel Taylor, Algieri, stepped up in his HBO debut and challenged WBO junior welterweight champion “The Siberian Rocky” Ruslan Provodnikov on June 14.
Despite suffering two knockdowns in the first round, which closed his swollen right eye, Algieri, who entered the fight as a 5-1 underdog, eschewed the natural instinct to panic and resolutely stuck to his game plan, expertly using his jab and supreme athletic ability to pick apart the defending champion, claiming a split decision victory and the world title.
The live, first-time airing of the fight averaged over 1.1 million viewers, placing among the five most-viewed fights on cable this year. In what could be a first for any professional boxer, Algieri used his purse from the Provodnikov bout to pay off his student loans. He aspires to attend medical school after he concludes his boxing career.
Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (56-4-3), boxing’s only eight-division world champion, defends his WBO welterweight title against New York’s undefeated WBO junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri, (20-0), who has Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Management and a Masters degree in Clinical Nutrition.
Pacquiao vs. Algieri takes place Saturday, November 22 at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Arena. Promoted by Top Rank and Sands China Ltd., in association with MP Promotions, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, Banner Promotions and Tecate, the Pacquiao vs. Algieri world welterweight championship event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.
