By Chris Robinson
Earlier this week, WBA lightweight champion Brandon ‘Bam Bam’ Rios could be found back in comfortable surroundings as he trained at the Oxnard Boxing Academy for his next ring assignment. An unrelenting bruiser with a captivating style, the 25-year old Rios is coming off of a thrilling 3rd round TKO over Urbano Antillon this past July that further bolstered his status in the game and has fans are dying to see him again.
Rios first looked to be lined up for an appearance underneath Manny Pacquiao’s trilogy bout with Juan Manuel Marquez this November in Las Vegas but there have been whispers that he instead might be seeing time on December 10th, possibly somewhere in Southern California. Wherever he lands, it seems likely that British pug Kevin Mitchell may end up being Rios’ dance partner when the time comes.
“That’s the word right now,” Rios told me prior to his workout. “That’s what it looks like so far. We don’t know yet, we haven’t seen the contract. It hasn’t been on ink so we don’t really know. But that’s the word right now that Kevin Mitchell is the next opponent.”
Mitchell sports at fine 32-1 record with 24 knockouts but is known to American fight fans just as much for his 3rd round TKO blitzing at the hands of tough Australian Michael Katsidis more than anything else. It’s not a super fight by any means but Rios insists he looks at every potential foe as a serious threat.
Advertisement
“Everybody that goes into that ring I respect. Boxing is a hard sport so I’m not overlooking him because maybe he had a bad day with Michael Katsidis, you never know. So, I will be ready for whatever he brings. I’m going to be ready for whatever. I’m just going to mentally and physically prepare myself for that,” said Rios.
One day prior, a few miles north in the town of Ventura, Rios’ former stable mate Victor Ortiz held a media day for his upcoming September 17th clash against Floyd Mayweather Jr. Ortiz is looked at as a heavy underdog heading into the bout but he looks to be in tremendous shape and has high spirits as he attempts to defend his WBC welterweight belt for the first time.
Rios used to consider Ortiz a friend but those days are well in the past, as he has taken plenty of digs at the Garden City, Kansas fighter in recent times. Rios was emphatic that Ortiz needs to be grateful for the fight with Mayweather, which will be seeing him by far cutting the biggest check of his career against Floyd.
“He should be thanking Floyd for the opportunity that Floyd is giving him, the chance to make a big payday,” Rios continued. “He should be thanking Floyd every f***ing day. If it wasn’t for Floyd he wouldn’t make a payday like this ever again. He should thank Floyd for this opportunity to prove himself.”
When breaking down the fight, Rios sees little chance that Ortiz has against Mayweather, one of the most well-rounded champions of this era.
“You know what? Maybe, because the way Floyd fights, he might give Floyd a couple of rounds. But when he starts coming forward and catching his ass, he’s going to run,” Rios claimed.
Next month the ambience in Oxnard should pick up as Antonio Margarito will return to camp to begin preparation for his December 3rd bout against WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto. Margarito and Rios share the same trainer in Robert Garcia and the two men formed a strong bond this time last year as Margarito prepared for his showdown with Manny Pacquiao.
Margarito still may have some detractors given his past but Rios is elated to have his friend coming back.
“It’s bad ass,” Rios said. “The inspiration that he brings to the gym, especially for myself, I need that. His work ethic, he works very hard and he’s a strong dude and he’s just always dedicated to the gym.”
Margarito traveled from his native Tijuana, Mexico to be ringside for Rios’ blowout over Antillon. Come December 3rd, Rios plans to return the favor and says he will be live inside of Madison Square Garden when Margarito meets Cotto for a second time.
“I’m going to be there for that fight. I’m going to be there to support my friend. He came to my fight to support me so I’m going to support him.”