NO DISREPECT BUT RIOS CAN?T TAKE PACQUIAO EVEN IN TWO YEARS
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 11 Jul 2011
With his rousing win last Saturday night at the Home Depot Center against challenger Urbano Antillon, Bob Arum spoke about possibly putting Rios in the near future against the great Manny Pacquiao.
And, Rios could not agree any better hinting that he is ready for anyone, Pacquiao included.
Wow! Is that for real or just post-fight adrenalin rush?
Regardless of how well Rios did in his last three fights (prior to the Antillon fight) with people whose fight records (Miguel Acosta (28-3-2), Antony Peterson ( 30-0-0) and Jorge Teron (23- 1-1)) are excellent when Rios fought them, let?s not forget that Antillon although had a 28-2-0 record coming to the fight, was still the No. 12 contender to the title that Rios held. Not that Antillon was not deserving of the fight much less had no chance to upset Rios, but fighters sometimes are placed on a certain ranking for a reason. Book-makers had a reason to place Antillon as a 5-1 underdog.
No disrespect to Rios, but if he is basing his probable fight against Manny Pacquiao in the near future (within two years) on the fact that he is undefeated and in a short term he will be ready for Pacquiao, I say:- go ahead, ain?t nothing wrong with dreaming.
Rios? handlers, including Mr. Arum should first think about beating other worthy fighters on the 135- 140 lbs range before even thinking of putting Rios against Pacquiao at Pacquiao?s present preferred fighting weight of 144-147lbs.
On paper, it does not seem that it would be that hard for the young Rios to go up three weight divisions higher to challenge Pacquiao in two years. After all many fighters do that, Pacquiao included.
But then again, only Pacquiao did it so well and stayed well to boot. There is only one Manny Pacquiao, remember?
At this point and time, Rios maybe creating a lot of buzz in the boxing world and there is nothing wrong dreaming of facing Pacquiao in the short term. However, Rios must first prove his salt by first cleaning up the ?lesser? mortals in the 135-140 lbs divisons before setting his sights on Pacquiao. There are many of them, Maidana, Khan, Ortiz and Bradley to mention a few. Or even Juan Ma. Marquez or Berto.
Besides, a three year wait may do Rios good. By that time Pacquiao has aged and maybe will be a tad slower. But even at that, Rios can not be so sure. And, if he does not change his ?charge of the light brigade? style of fighting ala Antonio Margarito, he does not have a prayer against a constantly moving and power punching Pacquiao.
Besides Pacquiao is one of a kind. He is like the 100 year storm that shows up once in a century. So even in his mid 30?s he maybe difficult to beat.
So dream on Rios. It may be good for you. But please don?t succumb to delusions of grandeur.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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