RIOS WILL BE STRONGER AT WELTERWEIGHT
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 22 Aug 2013
Brandon Rios will be making his welterweight debut when he faces Manny Pacquiao on November 24 in The Venetian in Macau, China. It will also mark the first time that he will be fighting outside the American continent.
Rios fought most of his professional fights in the lightweight division (135 lbs). It was only in his last two fights against Mike Alvarado that he climbed to the light welterweight division (140 lbs).
Now he will face the eight-division world champion at the welterweight division (147 lbs). And many are thinking whether the added weight can be beneficial or disadvantageous to the Oxnard, California native.
?Of course everybody thought that because at 135 everyone thought my power was not going to translate to 140 [and] it did very well. 147 is going to be even better. I'm going to be stronger and I don't have to cut weight too much. I'll be walking around very well and weight is going to be perfect," said Rios as quoted by Luis Sandoval of BoxingScene.
He is certain that at 147 lbs. his power is going to show and they will see it too. He said that people probably have some little doubt in their mind regarding his ability. He added that he is going to be ready for the fight.
Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach criticized Rios that he could not take punches from a boxer as big as Manny.
?We need to put combinations together and then get out of harm?s way because Brandon will be swinging back. We?ll box and bang. At 147, Manny?s a big puncher and we don?t think Brandon can take a punch from a big puncher at ?47,? Roach said as quoted by Victor Salazar of thaboxingvoice.com.
But Roach acknowledged Rios to be a very dangerous opponent for Pacquiao and they won't be taking him lightly.
?We have a good game plan set up for Brandon. He?s a very tough guy in the pocket. He?s dangerous there. Footwork and angles will be very important in the fight and whoever can pull the game will win the fight,? Roach added.
Some suggested that Rios should fight the style of Juan Manuel Marquez, considered as the Pacquiao nemesis and dealt the Filipino his worst knockout loss in his boxing career. But Rios answered he doesn't want to fight like Marquez.
?I don't need to fight like Marquez because Marquez is Marquez. I'm going to fight the way I fight but in a smarter way. So we're going to work on it when we get back to the gym and we'll go over the game plan," Rios asserted.
He said he is just going to fight in a smart way with his own style and fight the same way he did.
"Because I'm not a Marquez, I'm not a boxer, I'm not a counterpuncher. I'm a brawler. I got balls and heart and I come to fight,? Rios explained.
Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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