Round two started off the same until Algieri began to pin Guzman against the ropes, landing hard combinations to the head and body. At one point, Guzman, who was starting to absorb more punishment than he bargained for, indicated a low blow and turned his back on Algieri. The referee did not signal a low blow. Yet Algieri, much to his credit, did not attack Guzman, who with his back turned would have been defenseless.
Toward the middle of round three, Algieri, who is an absolutely devastating body puncher, ripped a double left hook to Guzman’s liver, dropping him hard. Guzman rose at the count of nine, but he was in a world of trouble, which became obvious to everyone as Algieri ripped him again to the same spot, putting Guzman down for a second time. But Guzman showed a champion’s heart, beating the count and somehow surviving the round.
Algieri came out in round four looking to finish the game Guzman, who used every crafty veteran trick in the book to try and steady himself. But, when he pulled a move out of the Zab Judah ”what to do when you’re hurt book,” and hit Algieri with an obvious low blow, the crowd turned against him, booing him soundly.
Worse yet, it only fired Algieri up more.
The remaining three rounds saw Algieri pressing the action, while Guzman tried to hold on. Even though he lost by a wide margin on all three judges scorecards, to his credit, Guzman finished the bout on his feet.
In his next bout, on September 18th, at the PAL in Yonkers, Algieri faced Edward Valdez. Valdez came out like a house on fire, obviously trying to take control of the ever dangerous Algieri by getting on the inside. But Algieri wasn’t having it, and for the most part, he kept good distance between him and Valdez by using good ring movement, and a stiff quick jab, although Valdez did have some minor success when he was able to get Algieri to back into the ropes.
But, in the second round, Algieri kicked it into high gear using double and triple jabs to the head and body of Valdez. Valdez was still throwing bombs, but Algieri was too quick, and was able to avoid the onslaught.
Toward the end of round three, Algieri slammed a left hook into Valdez’s body that really seemed to hurt Valdez. Algieri punished Valdez for the remainder of the round with crisp combinations as Valdez moved to the ropes and tried to cover up.
The body shot apparently hurt Valdez substantially as he opted to stay on his stool rather than answer the bell for the fourth round, giving Algieri his ninth win, and his fifth KO.
Aside from being an outstanding fighter, Algieri is a very charismatic young man who has a great respect for this sport.
As veteran referee Steve Smoger said, after refereeing one of Algieri’s bouts, “he’s got somethin’.” That “something” is star power, and boxing desperately needs a fighter like him right now.
His handlers obviously know what they are doing with their young charge, and have moved him along nicely. Make no mistake about it Algieri is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the sport of boxing.
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