When Brandon Rios steps inside of the ring looking across Manny Pacquiao on November 23rd, his goal will be to prove all the doubters he has wrong. Rios has been hit with constant comparisons of his match up with Manny Pacquaio to that of Pacquaio’s match up with Antonio Margarito. Fans and media have commented that Rios will be too slow and not fast enough to match Pacquiao’s legendary speed and movement. Rios wants to show that he is no walking punching bag and for the past few months he has been tucked away in Oxnard, Calif. working on technique rather than conditioning under the eye of Robert Garcia.
Rios though has also brought in Eduardo Garcia, the father of Robert and trainer of Fernando Vargas and his son, outstanding former featherweight champion Mikey Garcia. Rios attributes the inclusion of the elder Garcia to improvements in his techniques and a general mood of going back to basics. This change up has gotten the attention of Freddie Roach, whom he says he fears the most out of everyone in the Rios camp. You can take that as a compliment or as a slap in the face depending on which side of the fence you are on. Though one thing is for sure, Rios is taking this fight extremely serious and it has paid dividends so far.
Rumors of stopping sparring partners for the first time in camp, the inclusion of former Pacquiao strength and conditioning trainer Alex Ariza and a realization that this fight provides him with a chance to set his family financially straight for life and shut up pesky doubters has all compiled into what Rios considers the best training camp he has had.
It has caused him to keep a low profile in the build to his Pacquiao bout, but last Sunday Rios had a private meet and greet charity event for his fans. The event raised money for two charities near and dear to him, “Padres Contra El Cancer,” and “Momentum 4 Life.” After chatting with fans, we spoke to Rios about his bout with Manny in which he was candid about the decline in shape he sees as well as promising you will see a brawling Rios, but a boxing Rios as well.
