HOT POTATO via Home Depot, CARSON, California – Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios did not hesitate to issue challenge Saturday night to prominent fighters in the lightweight division and even bolsters the weight on his promoter Top Rank Robert “Bob’Arum to see to it whoever the latter wants him to fight. This developed during the post-fight press conference for Rios-Antillon boxing event.
“If I beat the toughest salamabitch at 140, then, if Arum thinks I can fight Pacquiao since Pacquiao is a tough salamabitch, I’ll be ready to fight him.” said Rios, 25, who is a good marketing persona to keep boxing alive in the Latino community, at least at this early stage of his career.
Rios remains undefeated of 28 professional fights with one draw.
“Rios is the kind of guy who can match the power and intensity of Manny Pacquiao,” said Bob Arum, who promotes both fighters.
Rios also mentioned his choices to fight the tough ones at 140, like Amir Khan, Marcos Maidana and other tough “salamabitches” – all under Golden Boy Promotions. And, “if Golden Boy Promotions finds no issues with Top Rank to make these fights happen, then here I am … I’m ready,” said Rios.
Meanwhile, a potential fight for Rios might just be against whoever wins between Maidana and Robert Guerrero on August 27 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. Like Maidana, Guerrero is being promoted by Golden Boy Promotions.
Rios has showned potential to move up anytime. “It’s up to Arum to put me on a good show; he is the man right there,” Rios asserted.
Rios showed power in a combination on a toe-to-toe fight against fellow Mexican. He tooks as well heavy shots and seemed not hurt but compelled him further to dispense his hunger to fight back. A quick right cross in the opening or round three dropped Urbano Antillon Antillon and another right finished his job at 2:49 mark.
Rios, who came out to post-fight conference with a big pack of ice over his right hand, took the crowd to cheer him up even more. He directed the beat of the night, saying, “I did what I told everybody that I was going to do and that’s knock him out,” Rios said afterward. “Urbano Antillon was once a very good fighter, but not tonight.
“But I guess it was my power. I’m stronger than I’ve ever been and I’m going to continue to get better. I’m on to bigger and better things. I’m going to the top.”
