Manny Pacquiao (L) from the Philippines and Chris Algieri of the U.S. pose during a news conference at Venetian Macao
Manny Pacquiao (L) from the Philippines and Chris Algieri of the U.S. pose during a news conference at Venetian Macao in Macau August 25, 2014. Pacquiao will defend his WBO welterweight title against Algieri at the Venetian's Cotai Arena in Macau on November 22, 2014. Reuters

Manny Pacquiao has started his preparations—albeit just “light training”—for the Chris Algieri bout set on Nov. 22, 2014 in Macau without head trainer Freddie Roach and will tap long-time assistant trainer and friend Buboy Fernandez.

According to a local daily, inquirer.net in the Philippines, Fernandez will be tasked to “set-up and synchronize Pacquiao’s hectic schedule” but has already set-up the first-ever light workout for the eight-time division champion.

Roach is expected to arrive in the Philippines early in October or roughly six weeks before the Pacquiao vs. Algieri fight.

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Criticisms against Pacquiao has mounted after the 36-year-old boxer joined the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draft as a player and will also double as the head coach of a team in the local pro league but the latest development should appease Pacman fans who are worried that Pacquiao is not focused on the Algieri fight in Macau.

Fernandez also mentioned that they have already analyzed some of Algieri’s recent exploits inside the squared ring particularly the American’s victory over Ruslan Provodnikov via split decision.

“Algieri is nearly as tall and as long as Margarito,” said Fernandez in the same article. “Their only difference is that Margarito counters when cornered in the ropes and Algieri doesn’t.”

For his part, Algieri admitted to watching the pair of fights between Timothy Bradley and Pacquiao in recent years to help him study the fighting style of the Filipino boxer.

While Pacquiao is preparing for Algieri and the upcoming PBA season this October, there are already talks of a possible fight vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr., who recently beat Marcos Maidana in a rematch last Saturday. Mayweather, who remained undefeated in 47 bouts, called out Pacquiao in the post-fight interview.

Against Algieri in Macau, Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KO) will defend the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title. Like Mayweather, Algieri is an undefeated fighter from the United States of America (USA) with 20 wins and 8 knockouts in his boxing career.