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It wasn't that competitive. Let me rephrase; it looked a lot more competitive than it was.
Hear me out.
Only 1 fighter was defending himself. If you watch it back, try and pick up on what Alvarado does defensively. He doesn't do anything. He doesn't slip, he doesn't roll, he doesn't block, he doesn't adjust his guard, his only defense is his offense. When he's not punching Rios, Rios is punching him - and because he isn't avoiding shots, Rios is landing a lot of clean shots.
In round 5, Alvrado threw 147 punches. 147 as counted by compubox. That's how hard he had to work to keep Rios from getting to him. No fighter can sustain that. Alvarado was only in this fight because he was fighting Rios off him, and by the mid point of the 6th he was spent. His work rate dropped, the power had visibly left his punches, his guard was dropping, and Rios began teeing off.
Now, I somewhat agree that the stoppage was premature, but at the same time I saw no route back for Alvarado so the referee saved him from whatever damage he was brave and tough enough to take (and I'd be surprised with any impartial observer disagreeing with that).
I can't see how Alvarado will be any fitter (he looked in great condition for the 1st fight) or his defense be any better (those kind of instincts take years to hone; Rios was a decorated amateur with 300 odd fights) or his footwork be fluid enough to keep away from Rios (who has chased down far more agile opponents). Either he works on his power so that instead of buzzing Rios, he can hurt him, or he gets knocked out again.
There were moments where Alvarado got through, but they were masking the true story of the fight, which was the disparity in defensive capability between the two guys. Rios was (as) comfortable (as can be) whilst Alvarado was throwing combinations at him, whereas Alvarado was soaking up damage with his face and ribs.
Hear me out.
Only 1 fighter was defending himself. If you watch it back, try and pick up on what Alvarado does defensively. He doesn't do anything. He doesn't slip, he doesn't roll, he doesn't block, he doesn't adjust his guard, his only defense is his offense. When he's not punching Rios, Rios is punching him - and because he isn't avoiding shots, Rios is landing a lot of clean shots.
In round 5, Alvrado threw 147 punches. 147 as counted by compubox. That's how hard he had to work to keep Rios from getting to him. No fighter can sustain that. Alvarado was only in this fight because he was fighting Rios off him, and by the mid point of the 6th he was spent. His work rate dropped, the power had visibly left his punches, his guard was dropping, and Rios began teeing off.
Now, I somewhat agree that the stoppage was premature, but at the same time I saw no route back for Alvarado so the referee saved him from whatever damage he was brave and tough enough to take (and I'd be surprised with any impartial observer disagreeing with that).
I can't see how Alvarado will be any fitter (he looked in great condition for the 1st fight) or his defense be any better (those kind of instincts take years to hone; Rios was a decorated amateur with 300 odd fights) or his footwork be fluid enough to keep away from Rios (who has chased down far more agile opponents). Either he works on his power so that instead of buzzing Rios, he can hurt him, or he gets knocked out again.
There were moments where Alvarado got through, but they were masking the true story of the fight, which was the disparity in defensive capability between the two guys. Rios was (as) comfortable (as can be) whilst Alvarado was throwing combinations at him, whereas Alvarado was soaking up damage with his face and ribs.
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