IF THERE?S one thing an aspiring superstar like Brandon Rios shouldn?t be doing, it?s being consistently overweight at weigh-ins.
He has been stodgy for two consecutive fights, thereby negating his chance at winning a lightweight belt.
But if there?s one more thing he really should refrain from doing if he intends to chart a successful career, it?s cussing out all those who blasted him for failing to make the weight.
Unfortunately, Brandon Rios apparently doesn?t give a damn, and lashed out at critics, saying ?Half of these mother******* are fat!?
Memo to Brandon Rios. Hey, hombre, we didn?t sign up to become boxers. You, however, did.
Ergo, the state of our pudginess is none of your freaking business, but whether you are lardy or not is par for the course because not only are you contractually obligated to make weight, being a professional fighter, the fans expect you to behave like one.
In the end, it?s probably just a matter of moving up and competing at the proper weight class as it?s not unheard of for a wide-shouldered young man like him to outgrow a particular weight division.
But therein precisely lies the faux pas. Instead of sincerely apologizing for his gaffe, he exhibited crass, boorish behavior, potentially alienating a lot of fans.
STYLE. His performance against Richard Abril didn?t help his cause either.
Perhaps due to his struggles to shed excess poundage, Rios seemed lethargic and never found his rhythm all night.
Of course, Abril?s awkward albeit effective version of the Mayweather shoulder-roll defense didn?t exactly alleviate Rios? plight.
Abril utilized his superior height and reach to good advantage, peppering Rios head as he came forward then tied up ?Bam-bam? to frustrate him when he came closer.
While Rios came alive in the last few rounds, Abril was more accurate with his punches and was successful in smothering Rios? offense.
The decision in favor of Rios was a travesty. While Abril wasn?t exactly the more exciting fighter of the two, still he was the more effective one and rightfully deserved the nod.
GESTA. Congratulations to Mercito Gesta for chalking up another win in his march towards pugilistic heights.
A word of caution though for those who are this early, trumpeting him to be an opponent for Juan Manuel Marquez. He needs more preparation by probably taking in two or three more fights against top-tier opponents.
Mercito?s hand speed is not really exceptional and his defense needs more work. Of course, a banger like him will always have a puncher?s chance, but then again, why go into war against Marquez having only that much of a chance?
Understandably, the fearless Mercito wants Marquez now, but in the long run, he will really benefit from getting quality rounds by facing higher-caliber fighters.
He?s only 24 years of age, and can only get better from more seasoning against opponents who will give him difficulty, style-wise.
JMM. Speaking of Marquez, he was his usual dominant performance, taking apart Serhiy Fedchenko and easily winning via unanimous decision.
The crafty Marquez used his superb counterpunching to thwart Fedchenko?s reach advantage and consistently peppered him with combinations.
Fedchenko landed his fair share of straights and hooks but Marquez appeared to be the more powerful fighter and scored with the more telling blows. The outcome was never in doubt.
The technically proficient ?Dinamita? will be a difficult opponent for someone raw like Mercito who doesn?t like to throw a lot of punches, considering the Mexican?s deceptive hand speed.
HE SAID IT. ?He was trying to break my f****** arm! Brandon Rios on Richard Abril (www.boxingsocialist.com)
LAST ROUND. It?s on Sharlyn Hernando who celebrates her birthday this week. Cheers!
