By Chris LaBate
WBA lightweight champion Brandon Rios (28-0-1, 21 KOs) is very excited after hearing the recent comments from Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum, regarding possible future fight with pound-for-pound superstar Manny Pacquiao. Rios returned to action on Saturday to stop Urbano Antillon in three rounds at Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
Arum stated in an earlier report that he would be interested in matching Rios against Pacquiao in the next year or two.
"In a year or two, I would put him in with Manny Pacquiao. I think he's a guy that can match Manny's speed and power. He has the heart. He has the strength. I think it would be very competitive," Arum said.
Rios is already considering a move to junior welterweight, where he wants to face the recognized champions and biggest names at the weight. If Arum wants to line him up for a Pacquiao shot, Rios says he'll be ready to go.
"If Bob Arum thinks I can fight Pacquiao, well, he knows the business better than anybody," Rios said. "He knows what he's talking about, and I'll be ready. The performances are only going to get better."
