Brandon Rios: I'm Free, My Top Rank Contract Has Expired

By Steve Kim

According to former WBA lightweight champion, Brandon Rios, as of today he is a promotional free agent after spending his career under the Top Rank banner.

Rios said on Saturday at the Ten Goose Gym in Van Nuys - "As of tomorrow at 12 midnight, my contract is over, July 9th. I signed my contract July 7th but my contract initially started July 9th (2011) when I had my fight with Urbano Antillon five years ago. So five years later - as of July 9th, Sunday - my contract should be over."

BoxingScene.com reached out to Carl Moretti, Vice President of Top Rank, who declined to give comment on the matter.

Rios was last seen in the ring in November where was stopped for the first time in his career by former two-division world champion Tim Bradley in nine rounds at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. Immediately after the fight he announced his retirement but has since changed course and is now back in training and looking to return at some point during the summer. Earlier this year he parted ways with longtime trainer Robert Garcia.

The 30-year old currently has a record of 33-3-1 (24 KO's)

As for any rumors he will sign a deal with Al Haymon and Premier Boxing Champions - Rios stated, "I don't know where they are hearing the rumors at but right now we're just going to look for options and see what's out there. Top Rank hasn't given me a deal, they haven't come up to me. So like I said, those are just rumors. You never know, that's all I can say."

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.