Things you didn't know about Conor Benn next opponent Chris Algieri
Rising welterweight star Conor Benn (19-0, 12KOs) steps up to face former world champ Chris Algieri (25-3, 9KOs) on December 11 at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.
As it's the American's first fight in the UK, BBN decided to find out some interesting facts on him right here:
Who is Chris Algieri?
Christopher Mark Algieri was born March 2, 1984, in Huntington, New York.
Now 37, Algieri was born into a working-class family, to an Italian father and an Argentine mother, who was born in Argentina and moved to America when she was about 13 years old.
The Student
He has a bachelor's degree in healthcare science from Stony Brook University and a master's degree in clinical nutrition from the New York Institute of Technology.
Algieri was the Performance Nutrition Consultant to Division 1 Stony Brook University Seawolves from 2016-2018.
Algieri has also served as a team nutritionist to American middleweight Daniel Jacobs.
The Kickboxer
Algieri began his combat career in martial arts, training in Chinese Kenpo under the tutelage of Robert Mauro at the age of 10. Algieri received his black sash at the age of 15 and began competing in amateur kickboxing when he turned 16.
While in high school, Algieri started wrestling and eventually became captain of the St. Anthony’s varsity squad. He won two Catholic League titles and one Catholic State Championship, ultimately making it to the semi-finals of the Public State Tournament. After high school, Algieri spent three seasons as assistant coach to the St. Anthony’s Friar Wrestling team.
When he attended Stony Brook University, he focused fully on Kickboxing. He then began sparring and training with Tim "Bring the Pain" Lane under the watchful eye of Mauro. After completing an undefeated amateur career that culminated with a USKBA Northeast Championship, Algieri decided to turn professional at the age of 19.
As a pro kickboxer, Algieri won the International Sport Karate Association Welterweight and World Kickboxing Association Super Welterweight Championships, compiling a 20-0 record as a world kickboxing champion before retiring to become a professional boxer.
The Boxer
His alias is 'The Fighting Collegian'.
His pro boxing debut was in April 2008, in Brooklyn, which he won by TKO3.
He was signed by Star Boxing promoter Joe DeGuardia in 2011 after reaching 10-0 with an impressive performance at Madison Square Garden. He headlined Star Boxing's first ever "Rockin' Fights" at The Paramount on November 19, 2011.
He won the WBO World super-lightweight title in 2014, with a surprise split decision win over hardened Russian, Ruslan Provodnikov, which was awarded The Ring Upset of the Year, as well as Sports Illustrated Upset of the Year. The fight eventually received over 1.1 million views. After peeling himself off the canvas twice in the opening round, Algieri put on the fight of his life, with one eye virtually closed, the gutsy challenger fought the rest of the fight in brilliant fashion dominating the defending champion in a 12-round thriller. He sparred with aggressive champions Marcos Maidana and Brandon Rios in preparation for 'The Russian Rocky'.
He reached 20-0 before suffering his first ever career defeat to eight-weight world champion Manny Pacquiao in 2014 for the WBO World welterweight title. He lost to 'Pac-Man' via unanimous decision with wide scorecards of 103-119 twice and 102-120. Over 400,000 viewers tuned in to HBO to watch.
He lost to Briton Amir Khan in 2015 when challenging for the WBC Silver welterweight title. However, the score is currently even against the UK, as he defeated Englishman Tommy Coyle in 2019 to retain his WBO International super-lightweight title. He retired 'Boom Boom' in the eighth round of their showdown in Madison Square Garden, which also sent the popular fighter from Hull into retirement.
His third and final loss was to pound-for-pound superstar Errol Spence Jr. in 2016, who became the first ever to stop Algieri, just 48 seconds into the fifth round.
He recently won the WBO International super-lightweight title in 2019, which sees him ranked at No.10 in their world ratings, with next opponent Conor Benn at No.11.
The American hero has only fought outside of his coutry once, and that was to Pacquiao when he travelled to Macau. His forthcoming fight with Benn will be just his second abroad.
He is a huge boxing an, "Boxing is the best sport in the world, hands down. I will say that until the day that I die. This is a passion of mine."
The Earner
The world title fight with Pacquiao earned Algieri his career best purse of around $1.6 million, which was a lot more than he was making previously. He reportedly only earned $250,000 from his world title win.
Against Amir Khan, he earned $500,000, although the Brit pocketed $1.5 million. Over 1 million viewers tuned in to watch.
In 2014, former manager Humberto Romero was refused a request to halt Algieri's world title fight with Provodnikov due to claims he broke his conract and owed him fees of nearly $1 million. The New York State Athletic Commission ruled against Romero in Algieri's favour.
The Stats
Debut: 03/04/2008
Bouts: 28
Wins: 25
KOs: 9
Losses: 3
Rounds: 199
Age: 37
Height: 5' 10"
Reach: 72"
BoxRec (USA): #11
BoxRec (World): #21
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