SpikeTV airs the Amir Khan versus Chris Algieri fight from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on May 29 as part of their “Premier Boxing Champions” broadcasts. Right now at the sportsbooks, Khan is a massive (-1500) favorite over Algieri, who is returning at (+1000). There is no over/under posted as of yet.
Khan’s name has come up in the mix as a future opponent for both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, and he has also been linked to an all-British showdown with Kell Brook and a fight with Adrien Broner. With all of those fights falling into the category of “big money” fights for Khan, it is a little confusing to see him settling for a match with Algieri. Even after the match with Algieri was signed, Khan stated he would pull out of the fight for a shot at facing Broner, which goes to show that Khan is looking past Algieri a bit.
Algieri is coming off his loss to Pacquiao, where his cinderella ride appeared to end in a flurry of six knock downs. Algieri is tough, and he considers himself a master boxer, but going skill for skill with Khan is a tall order, as Khan is lightning quick and extremely polished in his punching. What is more, Algieri lacks power, and it has been big hitters that have exposed Khan’s chin in the best. Styles make fights, and this one was made to fit perfectly with Khan’s style.
The only other bout scheduled for the card as of now features Brooklyn welterweight Paulie Malignaggi (33-6) as he faces Danny O’Connor (25-2). For Malignaggi, it is his first fight since April of last year, when he lost to Sean Porter, while O’Connor is riding a two-fight winning streak since he took a split decision loss to Vivian Harris (30-9-2) in October, 2013. Since the fight will air on the PBC broadcast, look for a line to pop up as we get closer to fight time.
Check out IFL.tv’s interview above with Khan taped on the weekend of Pacquiao and Mayweather, where he talks about this fight coming up with with Algieri and his desire to fight Broner.
