By Allen Fox: Brandon Rios (29-0-1, 22 KO’s) did what he had to do to take out John Murray (31-2, 18 KO’s) in the 11th round last Saturday night at the Madison Square Garden. Rios didn’t look as impressive as he had in previous bouts, but part of the reason for that was he fighting a guy that was an excellent inside fighter in Murray.

Rios eventually wore Murray out and blasted him out in the 11th with a storm of shots. However, Rios won’t be back at lightweight after failing to make weight. He lost his WBA title on Friday, and was subsequently fined $20,000.

Rios is now going to be moving up to light welterweight (140lbs), and hopes to get some big fights at that weight immediately. On the top of his list, Rios wants to fight Juan Manuel Marquez or Marcos Maidana. Neither of those fighters is likely to fight Rios, however, and that’s not because they’re ducking him.

Marquez only wants to take on big named opponents and Rios is still mainly known among hardcore boxing fans, so there’s no point in Marquez wasting time on him. If the fight did take place, I see Marquez easily beating Marquez. Rios is too slow and not particularly powerful. Rios is also too one-dimensional with his offense. He mainly throws left uppercuts and it’s easy to predict what he’s going to do.

Rios doesn’t move well and doesn’t have much of an outside game. He’d be easy pickings for Marquez. As far as Rios facing Maidana, that’s not going to happen either. Maidana fights for Golden Boy Promotions and they’re not going to do Rios any favors.

I think Rios would have a lot of problems against Maidana, because all the things Rios can do on the inside, Maidana can do as well but with a lot more power. Maidana is a much bigger puncher than Rios in my view. I could possibly see Rios outworking Maidana and winning a decision, but Rios would take terrible punishment.

Rios would be right there in Maidana’s wheelhouse all night long and would get hit with some massive shots. Most fighters run from Maidana and the ones that try to actually stand in front of him and fight don’t last very long. Rios didn’t look good taking some big shots from the light hitting Murray last Saturday night. Can you imagine what Maidana would do to him?
The fighter that Rios will likely have to fight next is unbeaten Mike Alvarado (32-0, 23 KO’s). That’s the fight that Arum wants and that’s what we’ll likely see.

Alvarado is a lot like Maidana with his power and excellent inside game. Rios is going to get beaten up by this guy. I think Rios may win but he’s going to get really battered by this guy. Alvarado has a bigger frame than Rios and is naturally stronger. Rios will be a pumped up light welterweight, whereas Alvarado is naturally built for the division.

I think Rios may end up having to move up to welterweight very quickly. It’s a struggle for him to even get down to 140 lbs, and I can’t see him making this weight without great struggle.

Rios doesn’t have the frame or the power for welterweight. At best, I can see him maybe picking up a paper title but I think his time as champion level fighter will go down the drain once he moves up to 140 and above.