WBN has been informed by Top Rank’s Carl Moretti that the upcoming welterweight clash between Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios on November 24 will not have any weight stipulations or titles attached.
The possibility that the interim WBO title to Timothy Bradley’s full version would be up for grabs was pitched to Moretti, although the Vice President of Boxing Operations said any such belt would only degrade the contest, which is to be staged at the Venetian Resort in Macau, China.
Pacquiao, 34, has participated in an array of catchweight contests upon his drive through many weight divisions, but this time the Filipino will stay at the 147lb limit as Rios moves up from light-welterweight.
27 year-old Rios, a former world champion at 135lbs, hits the bustling welterweight scene after a 1-1 record at 140lbs and will look to end Pacquiao’s career by inflicting a third straight loss on the eight-weight title holder.
The winner or Pacquiao v Rios will be in prime position to challenge the victor of Bradley’s next defence against Juan Manuel Marquez in September, with the undercard for the Asian extravaganza currently in the works.
