Lively soul Brandon Rios left quite the impression during his last visit to Las Vegas in September. Facing off with undefeated Anthony Peterson at the Palms Casino and Resort, Rios went toe to toe with the D.C. fighter and after a slow start he would begin dominating the bout. Rios nonstop activity had Peterson slightly overwhelmed as the 25-year old was rocked in the 4th and dropped in the 5th. Peterson would resort to low blow tactics and a 7th round disqualification would follow, granting Rios with the biggest win of his still blossoming career.
The win was just what you would look for in any aspiring contender and Rios was next slated for a December 4th appearance on the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.-Alfonso Gomez undercard in Anaheim, California. That was fine in itself but recent word has leaked that Rios will now be moved as a key attraction on the November 13th Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito bout in Arlington, Texas, as come backing former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik withdrew from his bout with Brian Vera after suffering a rib injury in his camp.
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While it is a bitter pill for Pavlik to swallow, as his stock has taken a hit after losses to Bernard Hopkins two years ago and Sergio Martinez in April of this year, it seems to be quite the blessing for Rios. The outspoken 24-year old was actually planning to attend the event because he is trained by Robert Garcia, the trainer of Margarito, as was set to be in town to show support to his stable mate.
?I?m really excited,? Rios recently told AOL Fanhouse?s Lem Satterfield of his new opportunity. ?I do this for a living so I?m not so nervous. I?m ready. I?m always ready. Whatever comes along, I?m okay and I?m ready. I don?t know who my opponent is going to be. I don?t know if it?s going to be the guy I was going to fight on Dec. 4th or somebody else. But whoever it is, we?re ready for it. It?s not like I haven?t been training. I?ve been in the gym.?
Fans across the world have actually gotten a first hand look at Rios in recent weeks as he has been a key figure on HBO?s Pacquiao-Margarito 24/7 series due to his ties to the Tijuana fighter. In the episodes Rios? verbal theatrics have been on display as he has gone as far as saying that Margarito will bully and dominate Pacquiao, even stating that he feels as if the Filipino star may find a way to withdraw from the bout.
While Rios? sometimes crude nature has rubbed some the wrong way there is no denying that the kid can fight. Possessing a seemingly iron will, excellent work rate and a very decent punch, he will be a handle for anyone at 135 pounds to deal with. After speaking with Rios inside of the Palms a few days before the Peterson clash, he told me first hand how badly he was eyeing the winner of the November 27th Juan Manuel Marquez-Michael Katsidis bout at the MGM Grand. Marquez is a legend in the game and Rios would love nothing more than to get a crack at the Mexico City fighters? lightweight trinkets.
?I think I?ve already shown the world that I?m no joke by beating Anthony Peterson and I?m ready to take on those type of fights like Humberto Soto and Marquez and Katsidis. I just hope that they give me a chance. I think that I have proven myself and I have put myself in position for those type of fights. I?m just ready to make some noise in the lightweight division. I?m ready for all of the big guys.?
