Manny Pacquiao's bout against Brandon "Bam Bam" Rios is about two months away, but there is plenty of talk regarding the fight. Questions regarding Pacquiao's ability to return to the ring and compete have arised, especially after his loss to Juan Marquez last November. Will Bam Bam Rios provide a career ending blow as the free swinger boxer provides a dangerous matchup for the 34-year-old Filipino?
The world has seen Pacquiao's ability to breakdown hitters, annoying them with stinging blows from multiple angles like no other boxer in the game. Pacquiao is meticulous, which should give him an advantage over the wild Rios in there bout.
However, not many know Rios. He's been a part of a couple of undercards in his career, primarily both of his bouts against Mike Alvarado. For those who saw those fights, they learned that Rios hits hard, loves to get hit and has a pretty strong chin. Of these three qualities, the first and the latter are the most dangerous. Pacquiao was already knocked out in his last battle. Another knockout will truly question his abilities to compete on the ring as a professional. With Rios' ability to take blows, Pacquiao could tire out and leave himself open for disaster.
In Rios vs. Alvarado I, Rios was losing, but he rallied back to knockout Alvarado in the seventh round as the fight was scheduled to go 10. Rios vs. Alvarado II saw both fighters exchange blows once again. Aside from the result, the style was exactly the same. Both fighters punished one another in the middle of the ring. There was no running around. There was no chasing to be done.
Rios packs a wild right hook and a lethal upper cut. If Pacquiao gets too defensive, Rios will square up and tempt Pacman into the middle of the ring. Pacquiao does have speed, but how well can he defend himself, if Rios' punches are unpredictable? The last thing Pacquiao wants to do is exchange blows with this 27-year-old who is basically a savage on the ring.
Of course, experience is on Pacquiao's side. He's fought over 20 more bouts than Rios in his career. Also working in Pacquiao's favor is Rios' non-stop training and fighting. Eventually, experts believe Rios is going to injure himself fighting at such a constant pace. In 2010, Rios had three fights. In 2011 Rios also fought three times and he fought twice within six months and three times within a year from 2012-2013.
Has Rios burned himself out or will Pacquiao have more bad luck, catching a rising start at the wrong time?
