By Babatis Banda: On the 23rd of November 2013, we will witness a comeback fight for Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2-38) against Brandon Rios (31-1-1-23) in Macau, China. Both are coming off losses and are looking to re-establish their reputations. Needless to say, Pacquiao is actually in a career defining fight. He is not only coming off a loss, but a back-to back loss with his last fight almost turning tragic with a serious threat to loss of life for the 36 year old boxer.
For Rios, all the cards are stacked against him. He seems the perfect sacrificial lamb in the situation. He is a decent fighter, but he is definitely made to order for Pacquiao. Rios, a somewhat pressure fighter is susceptible to serious injury from an ego bruised Manny Pacquiao. He will not be able to impose his will over Pacquiao and he is the one that needs to have a good plan to defeat Pacquiao other than putting pressure. If the Pacquiao of yesterday turns out, Rios will be obliterated in such a way that he will make Pacquiao bounce back, and into the big conversations in boxing again. In my opinion, this is the real reason this fight is taking place.
In this situation, it is not wrong to say that Rios is overly matched and to say otherwise, is to assume Rios is in the same grade with Pacquiao. If we agree that Rios is not in the same grade with the congressman, then it is obvious this fight is for a reason and that is to be a stepping stone for Pacquiao into the lime-light again.
Pacquiao cannot afford another loss, especially that there was talk of retirement because of the manner he was dispatched by the Mexican warrior, Juan. It is now or never for Pacquiao otherwise this is the end of the road. It is also expected that the congressman should shred Rios into thin strands of flesh to send a message to the boxing world that the Pacman is alive and kicking.
While all this is waiting to happen, it is interesting to notice how Arum always manages to create interest within his kraal. Another bull has arisen out of the situation and this is no other than Ruslan. Ruslan discharged the man who beat Rios (Alvarado) in such a fashion that all eyes are now on him. We wait to see if this bull will continue to graze from within the comforts of his grazing grounds or that the herdsman will take his bull into the valley yonder his territory. The question is ‘are we going to see Ruslan against Pacquiao next?’
Whatever the case, expect a resurgent Pacquiao after this craftily and well thought- of match-making. We are hopeful that politics will keep away from the big fights and that a resurgent Manny can still face Floyd Mayweather before he finally hangs the leathers.
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