Rios expects to be stronger for Pacquiao fight

By Boxing News - 07/02/2013 - Comments

rios5By Chris Williams: Brandon Rios (31-1-1, 23 KO’s) is really looking forward to his November 23rd fight against the struggling 34-year-old Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KO’s) in Macao, China. This will be one of the rare fights where the 27-year-old Rios doesn’t have to worry about his weight, because he’ll be moving up 7 pounds to ace Pacquiao 147 rather than fighting in the lightweight division at 140.

Rios, a former WBA lightweight champion, moved up in weight to the light welterweight division last year because he was having problems making 135. Now it looks like Rios is also struggling with the 140 lb. division in making weight, which is why it’s going to be a welcome relief for him to fight Pacquiao at welterweight on November 23rd.

Rios thinks the move up in weight will leave him stronger because he won’t have to worry about draining down to get to 140. He’ll easily make 147 for this fight and he should have more power on his shots. How much power is unknown, but if it’s more power than he’s shown in his recent fights against Mike Alvarado then Pacquiao could have some problems.

Rios said to Hustleboss.com “I’m going to feel stronger. At 140, I felt good. At 147 I’m going to feel even stronger. I’m going to feel strong and I just can’t wait until the fight.”

Rios could put Pacquiao out of his misery in this fight and basically retire him if he knocks him out the way that Juan Manuel Marquez did last December. That would be Pacquiao’s second straight knockout loss and his third straight defeat.

It’s difficult to see Pacquiao wanting to continue his career if Rios blasts him out. Pacquiao could continue if he wanted to, but I think it wouldn’t be smart.

The writing would be on the wall if Rios destroys him, because where could Pacquiao go after another knockout? His promoter Bob Arum would likely want to keep matching him up against his Top Rank stable fighters, and a lot of them would likely give him problems as well. Retirement would be the most sensible option for Manny if Rios gets him out of there.



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