Boxing Manny Pacquiao v Brandon Rios

Manny Pacquiao returns to the ring in November to take on Brandon Rios. Pacquiao, long considered one of the best fighters in the world, will come into the fight on a two-fight losing streak. He was virtually robbed of a decision against Timothy Bradley and he was knocked out cold by Juan Manuel Marquez. It was the Bradley fight in which he lost his WBO welterweight title. Pacquiao, who is now 34-years-old, will be looking to get his career back on track. After years of failed attempts to get a Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather fight to happen and with Marquez fighting Bradley, Pacquiao’s team chose Rios as his next opponent.

Rios will be making the move from the 140-pound junior welterweight limit to the 147-pound welterweight class and he will be coming into the ring with a 31-1-1 record. His only loss occurred his last time out when he dropped a unanimous decision to Mike Alvarado. That was after Rios stopped Alvarado in the seventh round in a previous fight. Despite coming up in weight class, Rios could be potentially a dangerous opponent for Pacquiao. Of Rios 31 wins, 23 have come via knockout. In fact, 11 out of his last 13 fights have been stopped because of KO/TKO. It will be interesting to see how Rios very aggressive and heavy pressure style works with Pacquiao. Rios will try to work from the inside and throw his trademark uppercut. If he makes a mistake and Pacquiao tags him with a good shot, Rios’ chin once again will be tested. That might be a good thing for him though, as the 27-year-old has never been knocked out in a fight.

Pacquiao (54-5-2) has knockout power, but that has not shown in recent years. The last time Pac-Man’s punches caused a fight to be stopped early was back in 2009 when he defeated Miguel Cotto. For his career he has 38 knockouts. Pacquiao has seemed to have lost a step and some quickness and his past few bouts. It remains to be seen how he will recover from losing in such devastating fashion to Marquez. Still, Pacquiao has a hall-of-fame type jab and he may be able to use that to thwart the oncoming Rios. But, what strategy will he try to use? Will he try to use his experience or will he throw caution to wind and trade punches with Rios? Pacquiao is the favourite, but is that based on his reputation and prior history?

Fighters usually become vulnerable as they get older and Pacquiao, who has been a fitness marvel in his career, will try to avoid that. Rios jumps into the welterweight waters with one of the biggest fish in the game. Just how much weight will he carry and how will he carry it? One interesting fact about the fight is that it will take place in Macau, China. It will be Pacquiao’s first fight outside the United States in seven years. Rios has only fought in the United States and Mexico, fighting two fights in Mexico the last being in 2009. The question of just how much Pacquiao has left will be answered when he meets Rios in China.

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