Pacquiao will be fighting Brandon Rios win or lose tonight

[4Corners]

There's no way someone can say Pac-Rios is a good fight and Mayweather-Guerrero isn't. In reality, neither are really great fights or anything. But Guerrero has at least come off a couple solid wins over Top 10 WW's. I mean it's at least on the level of where Pac-Clottey was. Rios hasn't done anything at 147 and had one decent win at 140 so far.

[paulf]

Interesting points, and I agree to an extent - about people's obsessions with fighters like Pac/Floyd taking legacy defining fights each time out. I've had people tell me on here that they would rather Pac fight Paulie than fighting Rios because Paulie has a belt at 147.

Where I disagree is giving Pac/Floyd/JMM passes for every fight. That's good for them that they're stocking up their retirement pot - but not fun for me, or us.

And despite the snobbery people have about the word "fun" or "exciting" in boxing, I think we all lose sight of the entertainment aspect and how crucial it is. And this is coming from someone who intellectualises boxing and considers it an art form.

I love and support boxing, and it's difficult to watch Pac in fights where's he's getting booed cos the opponent won't engage and Manny doesn't know how to cut the ring off. Pac brings mainstream interest and I'd rather he was in a barnburner than a stinkfest. Rios will get blown out but he'll make a bunch of fans with his style and heart.

Fights should either be legacy builders, competitive or exciting. That is why I have issues with Floyd against Guerrero, because it's none of those things.

Pac vs Rios? Fun as fook.

Yeah, good points as well. My point is, you're not going to take anything away from these guys at this point, and life goes on; the fans are never satisfied, and if one of them loses at this point people won't give the winner any credit, so why get so worked up about it?

I am a fight fan, not a fighter fan. As with Shaq on the Celtic (or Heat! haha), I don't really expect anything extraordinary from them. They've given us tons of big fights over the years. If we get some great fights out of them still, then good! But I am not going to cry about opponent choice or matchmaking from guys on the way out.

[Porter's Dad]

There's no way someone can say Pac-Rios is a good fight and Mayweather-Guerrero isn't. In reality, neither are really great fights or anything. But Guerrero has at least come off a couple solid wins over Top 10 WW's. I mean it's at least on the level of where Pac-Clottey was. Rios hasn't done anything at 147 and had one decent win at 140 so far.

There is a way. I just said it above.

Floyd vs Guerrero is a nothing fight. I don't know why the fook people are blinded by wins over goddamn Aydin and Guerrero. I'd MUCH rather a fight with Canelo. Oh wait, Saul is unproven, he hasn't got wins over Berto and Aydin.

You think Saul wouldn't run over those two? And yes, it's a legitimate question to ask, cos even though Saul fights in a higher division, Floyd is flirting with a Canelo fight too - and yet RG is a better option cos he beat those two at WW, people are saying.

Floyd vs RG is goddawful because it doesn't even have the potential to be exciting.

And yes, Pac vs Rios would be fun.

What exactly is the point of an RG fight? Floyd's got a few fights left in him, is highly inactive, and he's gonna fight RG?

Please man. I'm not asking him to fight Andre Ward or even Sergio but at least something that will have me intrigued or excited. And yes, a Canelo fight would.

[them_apples]

Brandon Rios has already said Arum promised him the winner. Marquez will be retiring after this fight so he will not fight him.

If Pacquiao loses, he'll face the human punching bag in Brandon Rios and after he beats him down everyone will say "hes's back".

lmao probably a good prediction. Pac would eat rios alive. Absolutely perfect style for him.

[Dr Rumack]

And despite the snobbery people have about the word "fun" or "exciting" in boxing, I think we all lose sight of the entertainment aspect and how crucial it is. And this is coming from someone who intellectualises boxing and considers it an art form.

I fully agree. The snobbery crosses over into outright pretentiousness at times. I love watching tactical fights between guys at the elite level because there's so much depth to those contests, you're still seeing new things the 5th or 6th time you watch them.

But look at the fights that people really remember, look at the legacy of Gatti-Ward. It's ridiculous to say that these are 'just fights for casuals'. If an ATG trainer like Emanuel Steward can enjoy a good brawl, then the self-appointed boxing intellectuals should give it a rest and acknowledge the entertainment value as well.

[Light_Speed]

Floyd vs RG is goddawful because it doesn't even have the potential to be exciting.

And yes, Pac vs Rios would be fun.

A guy getting his ass royally kicked is not my definition of a fun fight.

[Kagami Taiga]

lmao now pac/rios is a fun fight??? seeing one fighter get beat to within an inch of his life for no purpose whatsoever is a fun fight?? do ppl actually believe rios can touch pac?? wtf m I missing? has anyone ever seen a rios fight?? smh this site never ceases to amaze me.

[Porter's Dad]

I fully agree. The snobbery crosses over into outright pretentiousness at times. I love watching tactical fights between guys at the elite level because there's so much depth to those contests, you're still seeing new things the 5th or 6th time you watch them.

But look at the fights that people really remember, look at the legacy of Gatti-Ward. It's ridiculous to say that these are 'just fights for casuals'. If an ATG trainer like Emanuel Steward can enjoy a good brawl, then the self-appointed boxing intellectuals should give it a rest and acknowledge the entertainment value as well.

Exactly.

I don't think it's just a snobbery thing.

I think cos we're all boxing nerds on here, for us, we're very conscious about legacy building and fight legitimacy etc. So when people tell me they'd rather see Pac fight Paulie rather than Rios cos there's a title at stake - it's not that they're trolling (though it looks like) - its cos we're all so invested in the sport, it's hard to take a step back and think....."well, heck, Paulie vs Pac is a dreadful fight, even if it is technically more legit".

Another problem is that people don't view holistically, they become so attached to fighters that it just leads to a lot of negativity.

Me? I have my favourites, my biases, I don't deny that.

But ultimately, all I care about is the sport. I just want it to be great and for everyone to recognise how amazing I know it is and can be.

[GUEVARA]

rios vs pac is a good barn burner.

Rios might just pull the upset.

this has more excitement than floyds last 6-7 fights for sure.

[Kagami Taiga]

A guy getting his ass royally kicked is not my definition of a fun fight.

pac vs. human punching bag? totally fun.