Does Brandon Rios have a chance of beating Pacquiao?

By Boxing News - 11/15/2013 - Comments

rios676By Al Hmiel: Brandon Rios 31-1-1 is the hand-picked opponent for the floundering downward career trajectory path of a Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2). Manny is coming off two straight losses to Tim Bradley and the Mexican warrior Juan Manuel Marquez. The KO loss to Juan was devastating and a possible career-ender for Manny.

Not saying Pacquiao will stop fighting, but he will likely never again have that sense of invincibility in the ring. Rios was carefully picked by Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach and and Top Rank to be the boxing Pinata in the ring for Pacquiao to swat away at and flail away.

Brandon absorbs punches and comes straight forward with little head movement or defense. He’s tailor-made for Pacquiao to pick apart at will, until eventually falling or being stopped. Rios is coming off a loss to a very average Mike Alvarado in a fight where Rios absorbed some serious punishment himself to the head.

A this point Rios is nothing more than a confident fight for Manny to try to regain some esteem and self worth after the Marquez debacle and humiliation. Brandon is collecting his biggest payday ever to be Pacquiao’s punching bag and guinea pig opponent destined to lose but willingly to take mucho punishment to give Manny some semblance of respect back in the eyes of boxing pundits everywhere.

Boxing needs fighters like Brandon Rios as opponents willing to take the beatings and collect the payday without actually being a threat to fighters like Pacquiao trying to re-establish their reputations and boxing status. Face the facts; Brandon isn’t going to beat Manny. Rios is going to put on a good showing and take a nice whipping and collect a nice paycheck for his trouble and pain. As Rios loses well to Manny other opportunities will open up for him. But these type of careers do not end well in the end. Too many blows have consequences down the road.

Hopefully Brandon doesn’t take too much punishment and can come out of the Pacquiao fight with not to much damage absorbed and can have future opportunities to collect more money. Fighters like Brandon Rios make good opponents and are good soldiers that boxing needs as opponents for the stars and champions to beat up on.



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