Brandon Rios To Replace Pavlik, Vanes Gets a Bump

By Ernest Gabion

With the unexpected injury to former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik, BoxingScene.com has learned that Top Rank is going to do some last minute shuffling. Pavlik was slated to face Brian Vera in the co-feature position on the Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito pay-per-view on November 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum confirmed to BoxingScene that Pavlik suffered a rib injury in training camp.

Taking Pavlik's place on the card will be undefeated lightweight contender Brandon Rios. He was originally slated to see action on Top Rank's scheduled pay-per-view in Anaheim, California on December 4. Junior middleweight contender Vanes Martirosyan, also scheduled for the card in Anaheim, will now get elevated to the televised portion of the card in place of Rios. The opponents for both should be finalized shortly.