Former junior welterweight world titlist Chris Algieri, out of the ring since a fifth-round knockout loss to Errol Spence Jr. at welterweight in April 2016, is on the comeback trail.
Algieri has ironed out his long-standing issues with Star Boxing promoter Joe DeGuardia, signed a new promotional contract with him and announced on Wednesday that he will return on DeGuardia’s card on Nov. 30 at the Paramount in his hometown of Huntington, New York, the Long Island venue where Algieri made a name for himself in 2014.
Algieri, a former kickboxer with a master’s degree, will fight an opponent to be determined in a 10-round fight. He will return to junior welterweight, a weight class in which he is undefeated, after having his previous four bouts at welterweight and going 1-3.
In June 2014, Algieri, though knocked down twice in the first round and dealing with a horribly swollen right eye for most of the fight, won a split decision over Ruslan Provodnikov to claim a junior welterweight world title at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
That victory paved the way for the biggest fight of his career next as he moved up to welterweight and challenged Manny Pacquiao for his world title in Macau, China, in November 2014 only to be routed. Pacquiao dropped him six times in a blowout decision win.
Algieri lost his next fight by close decision to former unified junior welterweight titlist Amir Khan, outpointed Erick Bone and then got wiped out by Spence, now a dominant welterweight world titleholder.
Mired in a contract battle with DeGuardia, Algieri (21-3, 8 KOs), 34, has not boxed for more than 2½ years, but he stayed involved in the sport by working with fighters as a nutritionist, including with middleweight contender Daniel Jacobs.
“I can’t express how happy I am to be back. It has been a long time coming, and it is the perfect time to step back into the sport,” Algieri said. “I am looking forward to returning to the junior welterweight division and win another world title. There are a lot of good fights for me down the line, and I can’t wait to be back in the mix on the world stage.
“I am thrilled to return to the Paramount, where my last successful title run began. The growth of my fan base has always been an organically grown, grass-roots approach, so it feels only right to give back to my hometown fans in this way.”
Said DeGuardia: “I look forward to Chris’ return, especially in the junior welterweight division, where he has never lost a fight. I am confident we will get him another world title fight very soon.
“When I suggested we have the comeback begin at the Paramount, Chris was on board immediately. We recognize how great the Long Island fans have been, and it’s a pleasure to have him back at the Paramount. On Nov. 30th, I expect an electric crowd in a packed arena.”