Manny Pacquiao will likely face Chris Algieri in his next fight on November 22 in Macau, but the proposed showdown could be shelved as reports indicated that Algieri's camp has yet to decide whether or not to accept the offer.
Joe DeGuardia, Algieri's promoter, admitted to the New York Daily News that they are in danger of losing the offer to face Pacquiao because he has not heard a response from the 30-year-old's camp.
"It's the opportunity of a lifetime," DeGuardia said. "I need to know his answer. It's been a week. No one has told me anything about needing more money. Hopefully he comes to his senses but if I don't hear anything we'll likely lose the offer."
Newsday reported that Algieri, the newly-crowned WBO light welterweight champion, is pushing for more money - bigger than the reported seven-digit offer that he received.
Algieri said that he deserves a bigger purse now after winning against Ruslan Provodnikov in their welterweight title showdown. The Huntington, New York native reportedly received $100,000 for the Provodnikov fight, but he insisted that he just took a calculated risk for that bout, and the current situation is way different.
"I took a calculated risk with the Ruslan fight and took short money because of that reason," Algieri said. "I was really unknown at that point. I'm not an unknown anymore. If we're going to make this fight happen, I value myself and my health very highly and what I've been doing for the past 20 years. I just want what I deserve."
Algieri said that the current offer is not enough for a fighter of his caliber, saying that as an undefeated world champion, he should be given a fair share of the purse.
DeGuardia expressed disappointment over Algieri's stance on the offer, saying that people surrounding the unbeaten champion should stop giving unsolicited advice.
"I'm just very surprised and disappointed by what's going on," DeGuardia said. "I know what a deal is worth and this is a good deal. I think he's getting advice from people who aren't in the business and they're not giving him good advice. This deal is a no-brainer. I have to think he's going to come to his senses eventually."
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