Chris Algieri (C) of the U.S. takes to the scale naked during an official weigh-in for his World Boxing Organisation (WBO) international 12-round welterweight title fight against Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines at the Venetian Macao hotel in Macau Novem
Chris Algieri (C) of the U.S. takes to the scale naked during an official weigh-in for his World Boxing Organisation (WBO) international 12-round welterweight title fight against Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines at the Venetian Macao hotel in Macau November 22, 2014. The fight between Pacquiao and Algieri will take place on Sunday at the Venetian's Cotai Arena. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu REUTERS
Chris Algieri (C) of the U.S. takes to the scale naked during an official weigh-in for his World Boxing Organisation (WBO) international 12-round welterweight title fight against Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines at the Venetian Macao hotel in Macau November 22, 2014. The fight between Pacquiao and Algieri will take place on Sunday at the Venetian's Cotai Arena. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu (CHINA - Tags: SPORT BOXING TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

New York's boxing circle still looks highly at American boxer Chris Algieri despite his Nov 22 heartbreaking loss to Filipino champ Manny Pacquiao. Algieri will be given the RING 8 (NY) Fighter of the Year award on Sunday.

The event, the 28th annual RING 8 Holiday Events and Awards Ceremony, will be held at Russo's On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York at 12:30 pm. Special guests are former world champions Aaron "Hawk" Pryor, Carlos Palomino and Tony DeMarco, while MC is David Diamante.

Algieri, who opens up about his first loss, attributes the lopsided fight to poor game plan, too much effort on promoting the bout instead of spending time on training and rest and his foe being a boxing great.

"I'm not one for excuses. Manny Paquiao is a great fighter! For me, it was a whole new experience, and I'm smarter now," acknowledged a much humbled Algieri to The Sweet Science. Prior to Nov 22, Algieri boasted of ending Pacquiao's boxing career.

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However, after six falls and a badly battered face, it was Algieri's claim to being an unbeaten boxer - much like Floyd Mayweather Jr - that was ended by the Filipino congressman.

"It was my first loss, I am upset, no one is going to be happy after that," rues the New York native who said the Macau fight didn't show what he is known for and his true abilities. "But I went into a positive mode pretty much right away, seeing it as a learning experience," he adds.

Algieri said he has no plans yet to go to medical school, although a much-needed Florida vacation is scheduled next week after the award ceremony.

He promised that 2015 would be a kick-ass year when he will show to the world that he's a better boxer than what people saw in Cotai Arena. Having tasted fighting out of New York City for the first time in November, Algieri's no longer looking back at his past - the loss to Pacquiao and fighting at The Paramount in Huntington specifically.

"We need a bigger venue ... Algieri will be back big in 2015," Algieri promised.

The Sunday event will hand out 13 awards, including Comeback Fighter of the Year, Uncrowned Champion, Contender of the Year and Trainer of the Year. Russo's is at 162-45 Crossbay Blvd.