By Eric Thomas: Brandon Rios (31-0-1, 23 KO’s) says he’s going to get Mike Alvarado (33-1, 23 KO’s) out even earlier this time than he did last October in stopping him in the 7th round. Rios and Alvarado will be facing each other on HBO this Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rios sees his power, pressure and talent as being too much for Alvarado.
Their fight last year was one of the most exciting fights of the year as both guys took huge shots in their back and forth fight. Alvarado got the better of the action for the first five rounds, and he looked like he was on his way to a victory going into the 6th round.
Alvarado made the mistake in that round in standing in front of Rios a little too long, and he paid it by getting hurt with a huge right hand. Alvarado proved to have poor survival skills because he failed to tie Rios up to keep him from landing additional big shots.
Alvarado continued to foolishly fire back power shots instead of holding on to clear his head. That move cost him the fight. Alvarado might have been able to still win had he focused at trying not to get hit for a couple of rounds by moving, jabbing and holding as much as possible until his head cleared.
Alvarado has the talent to win this fight, but he seems to lack the discipline and intelligence to accomplish the task. Alvarado has too much pride for his own good, and he seems to have the attitude that it’s a bad thing to box his opponents instead of slugging with them.
Alvarado’s trainer should have already pulled aside and told him that he doesn’t have the kind of power that enables him to walk over guys.
Alvarado was able to succeed with that fighting style when he was facing week C level opposition, but ever since he moved up to B level contenders like Breidis Prescott, Mauricio Herrera and Brandon Rios, Alvarado has struggled badly and taken terrible punishment.
Comments are closed.