It is difficult for any fighter to win a world title. It is much more difficult to keep that world title belt around his waist.
Brandon Rios is living proof. He captured a world title almost four years ago, enjoyed earning six- and seven-figure purses, and fought on bigger stages.
That all changed in 2013, when the longtime Oxnard resident suffered back-to-back losses at the hands of Mike Alvarado and Manny Pacquiao. Rios has fallen under the radar in recent months, but a victory over a familiar adversary could thrust him back into title contention.
Rios will fight Mike Alvarado in the rubber match Saturday night at the FirstBank Center in the Denver suburb of Broomfield. The bout will headline a Top Rank card and will be broadcast live on HBO, beginning at 6:45 p.m.
Rios won the first fight in October 2012, stopping Alvarado in the seventh round. Five months later, Alvarado boxed his way to a close, 12-round unanimous decision.
In his last bout on Aug. 2, Rios (32-2-1, 23 KOs) defeated Diego Chaves of Argentina by disqualification in the ninth round when Chaves intentionally shoved a forearm in Rios’ face. Referee Vic Drakulich had already deducted a point from Chaves for rough tactics earlier in the fight.
There are some who believe Rios has lost a step or two due to his two brutal bouts against Alvarado and the lopsided loss to Pacquiao.
The 28-year-old believes the hunger and passion he had for the sport did not exist in the losses to Alvarado and Pacquiao.
“I got too comfortable,” said Rios in a telephone interview Monday. “I was making a lot of money. I forgot that drive that made me (a world champion). I became cocky-confident. Now, that desire and hunger that I had is back. I feel rejuvenated. I’m ready”
Alvarado (34-3, 23 KOs) has not fought since losing a one-sided, 12-round unanimous decision to Juan Manuel Marquez on May 17. The Denver resident made headlines a few weeks ago when he was arrested for gun possession after a police officer allegedly saw Alvarado put a gun in the glove compartment during a routine traffic stop.
Despite Alvarado’s recent brush the law, Rios is not overlooking his opponent.
“This is a dangerous fight. We’re both hungry. I’m not taking him lightly,” Rios said. “I’m still young in the sport. There’s a lot to do. I’m not done yet.”
PEREZ GETS WIN
Junior welterweight Michael Perez earned a hard-fought, 10-round unanimous decision over Miguel Acosta on Tuesday night at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.
The hard-hitting Acosta (29-8-2, 23 KOs) had the better of Perez in the first couple of rounds, but Perez came on in the middle rounds and controlled the action the rest of the way.
Perez dropped Acosta once in the seventh and once in the 10th en route to a close decision win, 96-93, 96-93, and 97-94.
Originally from Newark, New Jersey, Perez (22-1-2, 10 KOs) has been training in Oxnard with trainer Robert Garcia for the last seven months. Tuesday’s fight was Perez’s second with Garcia in his corner.
OXNARD TO HONOR CENTENO
The Oxnard City Council will honor unbeaten middleweight Hugo Centeno at its Jan. 27 meeting. Centeno will be recognized for his recent work in and out of the ring.
In his last bout on Dec. 6, Centeno (22-0, 1 NC, 10 KOs) knocked out James De La Rosa in the fifth round at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Centeno is a 2009 graduate of Oxnard High, where he excelled in cross country and was an editor for the school’s yearbook. He speaks at local schools against bullying and hosts charity events, such as the toy giveaway at the KO Gym in Oxnard last month.
Centeno is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and is managed by Joel De La Hoya, the older brother of Oscar De La Hoya.
