The day has finally arrived. Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios hit the ring and they will be fighting Saturday night. When will the fight start? Where will the fight take place? We have those answers for you as one of boxing's greatest, Pacquiao, takes the ring for the first time in over a year.
Yes, the last time we saw Pacquiao, he was being counted out of the battle. The count was sort of unnecessary as the Filipino boxer was out cold on the canvas. However, back with a vengeance, he will try to pry on younger boxing talent, taking on a dangerous brawler in Rios. Will Pacman be up for the fight? Who knows? He, but he will be in action.
Time: After 11 p.m. ET
Fight Place: Macao, China
That is right, China will be hosting this boxing match. We have become so accustom to seeing Las Vegas the primetime boxing bouts, but Pacquiao and Rios will meet at the Cotai Arena at the Venetian Resort in Macao. It will be the first time Pacquiao ever fights in China.
It will also be his first time fighting outside of the U.S. since 2006 when he went the whole 12 rounds against Osar Larios. By this time, Pacquiao had already conquered the WBA Super World Featherweight, WBC International Super Featherweight Title and WBC International Featherweight titles.
This date in 2006, when Pacquiao last fought outside of the USA also marks a point where the man began moving his way up weight classes. It has been a problematic issue throughout his career, especially as the world was getting ready to watch a Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight. It never went down because the Money Team speculated drug use from Pacquiao's behalf in order to move up these class weights.
Anyways, Pacquiao will battle Bam Bam Rios, who is known to have a great chin, continuously smiling back at his opponents after take hard punches to the chin. Pacquiao will have to spend some time dancing around the ring, which would keep the 34-year-old boxer away from Rios' harmful blows, which could create a lot of damage.
The start time of the fight is a bit tricky, because there will be four bouts in the undercard:
Evgeny Gradovic vs. Billy Bib
Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Tor Hamer
Zou Shiming vs. Juan Toscano
Felix Verdejo vs. Petchsamuthr Duanaaymukdahan
These four bouts will give way to Rios vs. Pacquiao. Eventually both boxers will have already hit the ring by 11:30 p.m. ET the latest. In China, the local time will be 12 p.m., while in the Philippines it will also be afternoon.
So it seems that the plan on Sunday in Asia will be breakfast, church and the Pacquiao.
