Mike Alvarado Opens Up Rios Loss, Hitting Rock Bottom, 4th Bout

By Ryan Burton

"Mile High" Mike Alvarado (35-4) is currently on the comeback trail.  The former super lightweight champion returned to the ring in March after a 14 month layoff and made quick work of Saul Corral.  His next assignment is on June 25th against Josh Torres (15-4-2) in an UniMas televised main event.

Prior to his self imposed layoff, Alvarado said that he mostly got by with his natural talent.  He said that while some training camps were better than others, he wasn't nearly as focused as he should have been.

"Having that talent and God given ability got me through fights like that. I still put in some work but it got to the point that the saying they have, 'hard work beats talent when talent ain't working hard,' well my talent took me as far as I could and it got to the point where God said I had to make that choice to either give up that lifestyle - surrender and do what I was destined to do or not - and lose your freedom and your life.  I held on and I surrendered my life to Him," Alvarado revealed to BoxingScene.com.

Prior to his comeback, Alvarado was last seen in the ring in January, 2015 when he was blitzed by Brandon Rios in their trilogy bout.  The loss was especially painful because it was Alvarado's second stoppage loss at home. 

While the 35-year-old didn't want to make any excuses, he did agree with my assessment, saying that fight was the low point of his career.

"I was rock bottom at that point but still at that fight there was an injury that occurred.  If that injury hadn't occurred who knows what would have occurred. Probably I would have been able to pull through it and make another fantastic performance for the fans. That is how I do, I make good fights. I am a warrior and at the end of the day I am going to go out swinging regardless. It was rock bottom though. After that fight it was time to clean up," Alvarado stated candidly.

As for the lackluster ending to their trilogy after two memorable bouts, Alvarado didn't want to completely shut the door on a potential fourth installment.  After that fight Rios was stopped by Tim Bradley and retired after the fight.  His retirement didn't last long and he is currently on the comeback trail and Alvarado said that a future bout very well could happen.

"You never know.  Later on down the road that fight might still be there.  Me and Rios put on a great show.  I know Rios wasn't ready for that last fight. It didn't seem like his heart and his passion was all there.  Since I surrendered my life that passion and light has been struck into me. I am dedicated and motivated to come back. If Rios shows that he wants to make a comeback and he has that motivation again, you never know it could be on the table again.  Rios-Alvarado 4, it could happen," said Alvarado.

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