May 12, 2013
Eight weight world champion Manny Pacquiao is set to return to the ring on the 24th of November in Macao, China, against all action Mexican brawler Brandon Rios. This is a great fight, and the fact that both fighter are coming off losses shouldn’t detract from this great match up. In-fact it should only add to what will be an enthralling all action fight, as reputation and pride are on the line, with neither fighter wanting another loss on their record.
Even though Manny Pacquiao hasn’t looked great in recent fights, consider that his last four fights have been against fighters who box on the back foot, and would prefer to box their way to victory over be in a tear up or brawl. The opposite can be said of his next opponent; all action Mexican brawler Brandon Rios rarely takes a backwards step and is relentless with his pressure.
With that said, let me remind you that Pacquiao old nickname was “the mexicutioner”, I believe the all action aggressive style of Brandon Rios will bring out the best Manny Pacquiao we have seen since he fought Miguel Cotto in 2009. However Brandon Rios shouldn’t be seen as a hand-picked opponent for Pacquiao, with only one close decision loss on his record, his all action relentless style has grinded down many fighters, and with Manny Pacquiao beginning to look vulnerable in his last few fights, you cannot rule out Brandon Rios.
With there already being bad blood between both camps due to comments Rios made about Pacquiao’s long term trainer Freddie Roach in a previous 24/7 series, the build-up to the fight should deliver as much drama for the fans as the fight itself. Overall this should be a great fight, with a win for either fighter having the potential to propel them back into the mix with the best fighter’s pound-for-pound in the sport; this fight has the definite potential to be one of the best fights in 2013.
