Christopher Mark Algieri (born March 2, 1984) is an American professional boxer and former kickboxer. In boxing he held the WBO junior welterweight title in 2014 and challenged for the WBO welterweight title later that year; in kickboxing he was an undefeated ISKA World welterweight and WKA World super welterweight champion. Outside of boxing, Algieri works as a nutritionist.
Early and personal life
Algieri was born into a working-class family in Huntington, New York, to an Italian father and an Argentine mother. He has a bachelor's degree in healthcare science from Stony Brook University and a master's degree in clinical nutrition from the New York Institute of Technology. Algieri has expressed his desire to go to medical school and combine his experience as a world-class athlete and his knowledge of nutrition to spearhead a practice designed to treat competitive athletes without the use of unnecessary surgeries, pharmaceuticals or long lay-offs.
Amateur career
Algieri began his martial arts training in Chinese Kenpo under the tutelage of Robert Mauro at the age of 10. Algieri received his black sash at the age of 15 and began competing in amateur kickboxing at the age of 16. While in high school, Algieri started wrestling and eventually became captain of the St. Anthony's varsity squad. Algieri won two Catholic League titles and one Catholic State Championship, ultimately making it to the semi-finals of the Public State Tournament. He was also awarded a wild card nomination to compete in the High School National Championships, but a knee injury barred Algieri from participating. After high school, Algieri spent three seasons as assistant coach to the St. Anthony's Friar Wrestling team. Algieri attended Stony Brook University and concentrated his athletic prowess to Full-Contact Kickboxing. He then began sparring and training with Tim "Bring the Pain" Lane under the watchful eye of Mauro. After completing an undefeated amateur career that culminated with a USKBA Northeast Championship, Algieri decided to turn professional at the age of 19.
Kickboxing career
As an amateur, Algieri won the USKBA Northeast Championship defeating Kyle Murray. Algieri later turned professional, and won the International Sport Karate Association Welterweight and World Kickboxing Association Super Welterweight Championships, compiling a 20–0 record as a world kickboxing champion. He also competed in the World Combat League before retiring to become a professional boxer.
Nutritionist
Algieri was the Performance Nutrition Consultant to Division I Stony Brook University Seawolves from 2016 to 2018.
Algieri formerly served as team nutritionist to American middleweight Daniel Jacobs.
Professional boxing career
Early career
Algieri turned pro in 2008, and put together a record of 18–0 with 8 knockouts. Most fights, he moved between light welterweight and welterweight. On February 14, 2014, Algieri won a unanimous ten-round decision over Emmanuel Taylor, an IBF number four ranked contender, at the Paramount Theatre in Huntington, Long Island, New York, to enter the world rankings.
Algieri had accumulated wins over the likes of top prospect Jose Alejo, a bout featured on NBC Sports Network and former United States Boxing Association (USBA) Champion Mike Arnaoutis prior to the Taylor fight, and he reached 10–0 when Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing signed him.