Stony Brook University Celebrates Chris Algieri at This Year’s Wolfstock Homecoming
Undefeated World Jr. Welterweight Champ Honored in Front of Sell Out Crowd At Stony Brook University Homecoming Game; Announces New “Chris Algieri Championship Lifestyle Scholarship” at Stony Brook
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| Left to right: Chris Algieri and President Samuel L. Stanley, MD |
STONY BROOK, NY (September 27, 2014) — For the first time since graduating with a BS in Health Care Management in 2007, undefeated WBO junior welterweight champion
CHRIS ALGIERI
returned to his alma mater for Stony Brook’s homecoming football game and Wolfstock Festival, where he was recognized by the Stony Brook University Alumni Association as Alumnus Fan of the Game. Algieri, accompanied by his family and friends, spent the earlier part of the day meeting other alumni during the pregame festivities at the Wolfstock Festival, and later was presented an official Seawolves Football jersey from President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., and a game ball from Athletic Director Shawn Heilbron during an on field presentation. Algieri, a native of Huntington, New York and graduate of St. Anthony’s High School, also received a proclamation from Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, naming September 27 “Chris Algieri Day” in Suffolk County. During halftime, Algieri returned to mid-field to present a replica of his WBO Jr. Welterweight Championship belt to his alma mater, which Dr. Stanley accepted on behalf of the University. He also announced that he is establishing the “Chris Algieri Championship Lifestyle Scholarship” at Stony Brook.
Algieri (20-0, 8 KOs), gearing up to face Fighter of the Decade Congressman
MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO
, has become boxing’s No. 1 story, as well as being hailed as the 21st century real-life Rocky. Over the last 22 months Algieri, a former kickboxing champion, has elevated himself from a prospect to a world-class contender to a world champion. After accumulating significant victories over top prospect Jose Alejo, former USBA champion Mike Arnaoutis, and highly-rated contender Emmanuel Taylor, Algieri, stepped up in his HBO debut and challenged WBO junior welterweight champion “The Siberian Rocky” Ruslan Provodnikov on June 14 Despite suffering two knockdowns in the first round which closed his swollen right eye, Algieri who entered the fight as a 5-1 underdog, eschewed the natural instinct to panic and resolutely stuck to his game plan, expertly using his jab and supreme athletic ability to pick apart the defending champion to claim a split decision victory and the world title. The live, first-time airing of the fight averaged over 1.1 million viewers placing among the five most-viewed fights on cable this year. In what could be a first for any professional boxer, Algieri used his purse from the Provodnikov bout to pay off his student loans. He aspires to attend medical school after he concludes his boxing career.
For additional photos please contact sbu_news_desk@stonybrook.edu
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Fighter of the Decade and Filipino icon Congressman
MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO
(56-4-3), boxing’s only eight-division world champion, defends his
WBO welterweight title against New York’s undefeated WBO junior welterweight champion
CHRIS ALGIERI
(20-0), who has Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Management, a Masters degree in Clinical Nutrition and a Ph.D. in Upsets Inside the Ring. Pacquiao vs. Algieri takes place Saturday, November 22 at
The Venetian® Macao’s Cotai Arena
. Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with MP Promotions, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, Banner Promotions and Tecate, the Pacquiao vs. Algieri world welterweight championship event will be produced and distributed Live by
HBO Pay-Per-View®
,
beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.
For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, orfacebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, or twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the Hashtag #PacAlgieri to join the conversation on Twitter.
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Reporter Contact:
Alida Almonte
University Media Relations Manager
631-632-6310
Follow us on Twitter @sbunewsdesk
