Brandon Rios vs. Mike Alvarado preview:
By: Travis Kennedy
Carson, California– On Saturday October 13th, Brandon “BAM BAM” Rios takes on Mike “Mile High” Alvarado on HBO’S Boxing After Dark. This fight is a 10 round bout that is being fought at the 140 pound limit and takes place at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
For even the casual boxing fan, this is a fight that cannot be missed! Other than a long awaited and hoped for Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather match-up, this is the most exciting fight that has been made this year. It seems almost impossible that this fight could not live up to the hype and be a Fight of the Year candidate.
Both fighters have styles that bring back old memories of watching the Arturo Gatti vs. Mickey Ward fights. Those two warriors went toe-to-toe three times and every fight was an instant classic! The first and third fights were awarded Fight of the Year by The Ring Magazine. The second fight was actually fought in the same year as the first otherwise it would have been Fight of the Year as well. When you get two fighters together that both enjoy taking as much punishment as they give, you will always come out with an exciting, bloody, grueling bout!
Brandon Rios (30-0-1,22 KO) is an undefeated boxer that is trained by former IBF super featherweight champion Roberto Garcia. Rios has an impressive amateur record of 230-35 and turned professional in 2004. He is the former WBA lightweight champion and is making his debut in the light welterweight division in this fight. Rios failed to make weight in his last two bouts and was stripped of his lightweight title before he faced John Murray. Rios struggled somewhat when he faced Murray but was ultimately able to win by stoppage in the 11th round. Rios then faced Richard Abril for the vacant WBA lightweight title that he once held but was unable to make weight again. The fight went on as planned but Rios looked terrible against Abril. Rios appeared to be very drained from attempting to make weight and sweat off the few extra pounds. Abril moved around well in their fight and Rios used a lot of his energy and burned his legs out following him around all fight. Rios was actually given a gift and was awarded a split decision victory. Abril wasn’t necessarily spectacular against Rios, but definitely deserved the decision. Rios has an aggressive style and is very comfortable fighting in the pocket. Rios is not a technically gifted boxer. He relies more on brawling with his opponents in the hopes of breaking down their defense, or testing their chins to see if they can stand up to his punches. The move up from 135 pounds to 140 should definitely help with his weight struggles. We will have to wait and see how Rios looks during the weigh in, and if he is able to make the weight this time around. From what I have been hearing Rios was close to fight weight the last few weeks of camp. We shall see.
Mike Alvarado (33-0, 23 KO) is undefeated and fights out of Denver, Colorado, and is trained by Shann Vilhauer. Alvarado started out as a wrestler in high school and was a two time state wrestling champion at Skyview High School in Denver. After high school Alvarado opted to be a boxer instead of pursue wrestling, and first compiled an amateur record of 26-5. Alvarado won the Ringside National Championship in 2001 and actually defeated 2004 Olympian Andre Dirrell in the process. Alvarado has been fine-tuning his boxing skills since he turned professional in 2004. Alvarado’s style is not necessarily too different from Rios. Alvarado has no problem taking three of his opponent’s punches just to deliver one of his own. Alvarado has a very crowd-pleasing style and is not a fighter that will ever take a round off. Although he fights an aggressive style, he does have the ability to box and make adjustments well in the ring. His most memorable performance came against Colombian fighter Breidis Prescott on the under card of Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez lll in Las Vegas. Prescott started the fight fast and out-boxed Alvarado for about the first half of the fight. Alvarado made some adjustments and was able to be the aggressor and out-box Prescott for the second half of the fight. In the final round Prescott seemed to be out of gas, and Alvarado took advantage and was able to score a knockout victory with 1:43 left in the fight. Prescott was the man to defeat Amir Khan in the first round to hand him his first professional defeat, so beating Prescott really gave some attention to Alvarado. Alvarado defeated other notable opponents such as: Carlos Molina, Raymond Narh, Michael Clark, and Emanuel Clottey.
Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado have both expressed their interests in fighting Manny Pacquiao or Juan Manuel Marquez in the future. This fight could possibly catapult the winner to a possible match up with Pacquiao or Marquez down the road. Both men know what is on the line in this fight and are willing to go out on their shields. Rios has also discussed his willingness and need for a Gatti/Ward type of fight to add to his legacy. He is definitely not opposed to having an all out slug-fest with Alvarado in this fight. This only makes for a more exciting fight for the fans.
I have been waiting patiently for this fight since the day it was announced. Rios vs. Alvarado has the ability to not just be the Fight of the Year, but to be a fight that we may just tell our grandchildren about one day. A wise man once said: “Picking a winner in a Fight of the Year fight is foolish, anything can happen, its like flipping a coin and often times your prediction is wrong.” Well either way this bout turns out, the fans will enjoy it. According to most sports books Rios is about a 2-1 favorite in this fight. With Alvarado’s two inch height and reach advantage, his better technical skills, and his better ability to make adjustments, I give him a very good chance to win this fight. We also have to factor in that the fight is at the Home Depot Center in Carson where Rios has fought at once before, and since he trains in California should have the crowd advantage on his side. Either way this fight turns out, I am just thankful for the early Christmas present the boxing world gave us this October.
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