Brandon Rios not only wanted to win over Manny Pacquiao and establish a name for himself in the annals of world boxing, but he would like to let the fighting congressman retire after their fight on November 24 in Macau. The Rios camp planned to apply tremendous pressure on the Filipino boxing hero by hitting him on the body and on the head like what Antonio Margarito did during their encounter three years ago.
Rios was quoted on the radio program On the Ropes Boxing: ?He did not do so good against Margarito, and Antonio put pressure on, so that?s one thing I really want to do. I want to put pressure?we will see how he reacts to that?I want to go for body shots too?I want to say that I was the one to retire Manny Pacquiao.?
With age advantage on his side, Rios fights like Margarito who is a brawler and is good at hitting body shots. Margarito hit Pacquiao with hard punches to the body which endangered the eight-division world champion. But Pacquiao was able to escape the trap and with amazing foot speed and retaliated at Margarito punishing him enroute to a very convincing unanimous decision win.
Paulie Malignaggi, the former world light welterweight champion, hinted that for Rios to win he must trap Manny to the ropes and engage him in a toe-to-toe affair.
Malignaggi said to esnewsreporting.com ?I think it?s a good fight. It can go either way. I think Brandon Rios has to find a way to cut the ring down. If Brandon makes Manny uncomfortable and cuts the ring down, Manny?s in trouble. If Brandon doesn?t, he?s in trouble. It?s up to how Brandon cuts the ring down on Manny.?
Pacquiao is in a must win situation and once he's defeated then he's done. Rios is young and hungry for world recognition. Experts expect a good exciting fight. Pacquiao doesn't want to retire and plans to fight for two or three years more. Rios can make a win as a stepping stone to superstardom.
"The Clash in Cotai" is a fight for Pacquiao redemption after two defeats. At age 34, he is no longer the same Manny as he fought four years ago. He should not be complacent in facing an aggressive Bam Bam who desires for his retirement.
The venue of the fight is Macao, the gambling capital of Asia. And the fight is a big gamble for Pacquiao who has so much at stake.
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