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Manny Pacquiao and Chris Algieri promote their bout in Macau. Photo: Unus Alladin

Manny Pacquiao says he's training like his younger days ahead of Chris Algieri fight

Filipino superstar 'Pacman' warns he has recaptured the speed, power, determination and aggression of younger days in countdown to WBO title fight

Philippine superstar Manny Pacquiao says his training camp has been a throwback to his younger days as a speedy, powerful and aggressive fighter and he's confident of victory against unbeaten American Chris Algieri in this weekend's Clash in Cotai II.

Pacquiao, who turns 36 next month and is 56-5-2 with 38 knockouts, said he had one of the best training camps he could remember and is determined to hold on to his World Boxing Organisation welterweight title, which will be on the line in the CotaiArena at the Venetian Macao against the tough New Yorker.

"What I can say is that it is all set," said Pacquiao of his full-scale preparation that lasted six weeks in General Santos. "We did our best in training. My team, they were very helpful for this training camp, and we were reminiscing about the old days when we saw the old battles when I was young, with my speed and my power. The determination and the aggressiveness are back.

My opponent [Algieri] has also trained hard for this fight and he's excited that he's going to win this fight, but I'm not going to let that happen
Manny Pacquiao

"My opponent [Algieri] has also trained hard for this fight and he's excited that he's going to win this fight, but I'm not going to let that happen."

Algieri, who is 20-0-0 with eight knockouts, was excited to be back in Macau and said all the hard work was behind him and that he was looking forward to the fight on Sunday.

"The talking is done, the hard work is done. I'm not going to say too much, but I prepared very well. I'm excited, it's going to be a great show. Make sure you come or tune in, you won't want to miss this," he said.

Algieri and Pacquiao arrived on separate days and in contrasting styles earlier this week.

Manny Pacquiao is confident of victory in Sunday's Clash in Cotai II. Photo: Unus Alladin
The Filipino congressman jetted in on Monday with a 300-plus entourage, requiring two A320 airbuses to bring them, while Algieri arrived last Friday with four members of his team, although he was later joined by 30 family members and friends.

The Clash in Cotai II has caught the imagination of the city, at least where celebrities are concerned with a who's who list of Hollywood stars such as Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger confirmed to attend the fight.

Also on the card will be China hero Zou Shiming, the two-time Olympic gold medallist, who will be looking to move closer to a world title when he takes on Thailand's Kwanpichit Onesongchaigym in a 12-round WBO flyweight world title elimination bout.

WBO featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko of Ukraine and WBA world light welterweight champion Jessie Vargas of the US will each defend their respective world titles in separate 12-round matchups. Local favourites, Rex "The Wonder Kid" Tso Sing-yu of Hong Kong and the "Macau Kid" Ng Kuok Kun will also feature on the undercard.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Pacquiao full of fire for Algieri
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