By Allen Fox: According to Dan Rafael, WBA World lightweight champion Brandon Rios hasn’t been barely drinking any water or eating for the past five days trying to make weight for Saturday’s fight against John Murray.

Indeed, Rios failed to make the 135 pound lightweight weight limit today at the weigh-in, coming in at 135.6 on the second weigh-in attempt after weighing in 136.4 on the first weigh-in try.

Rafael said “Rios’ manager Cameron Dunkin was angry when he found out Rios hadn’t eaten for 5 days literally and had 4 oz of water 2 days ago.”
Wow! This is pretty shocking news, as Rios has never had problems making weight in the past. Could it be that he’s been overlooking his opponent John Murray?

It wouldn’t surprise me because no one has been giving Murray a chance in this fight from the first day the fight was announced. It’s been largely seen as a huge mismatch and boxing fans haven’t taken it seriously. It may be that Rios subconsciously backed off on his training, knowing that he could blow away Murray without having to work hard to make the weight.

Whatever the case, it’s not a good sign – if this is true – that Rios hasn’t been eating or drinking water to try and get down to fighting weight. By not making weight today, Rios lost his WBA title. He could stand to lose the fight if he weighs in over 146 lbs at tomorrow’s last weigh in before the fight. He’s reportedly only allowed to weigh 146 pounds. If Rios isn’t gaining water weight or eating tonight, it’s going to give Murray a huge advantage in this fight, possibly enough pull out a win.

It may be time that Rios thinks about moving up in weight to the light welterweight division, because he can’t be staving himself just to make weight.