Brandon Rios sent a message Saturday evening when he won the WBA Lightweight title on Showtime by overpowering and dethroning the powerful Miguel Acosta. In doing so, Rios arrived and the lightweight division is enriched with talent.
That?s not to say that the welterweights are not as dominant. But there is something about Rios that gives boxing some hope. Rios had a resounding victory. It brought back memories of Alexis Arguello, Roberto Duran, Pernell Whitaker and the great Julio Cesar Chavez.
However, with the always constant argument in boxing as to who is the best pound-for-pound fighter, does Rios stand a chance? Probably not because the lightweight division, as stacked with talent as it is, is not notable with names Though Rios has the potential to change that theory providing he continues his dominance as was displayed Saturday evening.
Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Humberto Soto are a few opponents that may be next for Rios. Soto, the WBC lightweight champion would be the fight for Rios that could propel him among the elite. Then the argument could begin. If Rios prevails, is he truly in that class as one of the best pound-for-pound?
Rios has a chance at stardom. Showtime, back in the pay-per-view business would no doubt book the date if Soto wants to finally get in the ring with Rios. When one looks back Rios reminds you of Arguello, the late Hall of Fame champion who accepted a challenge, took a punch, and displayed great ring generalship.
Focus on what big time boxing offers in the next few months. The welterweight division, minus Floyd Mayweather Jr. and familiar names such as Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley and Manny Pacquiao keep us writing. Back then Arguello against Aaron Pryor, Whitaker, Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, they always had fans and media intrigued about their next move.
Rios can become one of the premiere lightweights to make things interesting even he decides to stay at 135. It all depends on what comes next, especially if Soto continues to make Rios wait. Marquez and Barrera are viable options as they continue to also make the lightweight division something to discuss.
?He?s fighting my fight now and sooner or later I was going to knock him out,? commented Rios after the final outcome against Acosta where he put the former champion on the canvas in the sixth and eighth rounds. It was the tenth round that propelled Rios to stardom and made the lightweight division that more interesting. He adjusted to an early rough few rounds and fought back with authority.
It is an ongoing saga in boxing as to who the legitimate champion is with all the alphabet soup organizations. There is a consensus that once Pacquiao leaves the sport a void will be there. A viable replacement, one that can offer stardom and excitement will be on the horizon and the lightweight division may have an answer.
The undefeated Brandon Rios has potential, maybe never in the class of Pacquiao, but a fighter that brings out the best among the elite in his weight class.
E-mail Rich Mancuso: [email protected]
