By Niall Doran
Ah yes, the return of one of the sport’s most exciting all time combatants is fast closing in upon us. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao makes his long awaited comeback to the ring this Saturday in Macau but to make proceedings even better, he takes on a man who personifies the word “warrior” in Mexican/American Brandon Rios which makes coming up with a Pacquiao vs Rios prediction fairly interesting, to say the least!
Rios only knows how to fight one way, which is coming forward and exchanging furious combinations. The prospect of this fight is mouth watering when you think about the level of violent exchanges that could ensure when these two brick fisted pugilist specialists throw down on Saturday night.
I wrote about this fight a few months back and my feelings are largely the same on the bout. I’ve watched some of the excellent 24/7 build up show by HBO in the run up to this and I’ve being very impressed by the attitudes and seemingly tireless work ethic both men have portrayed on camera ahead of the fight.
Both men are motivated for different reasons. On one hand you have the seasoned campaigner and established elite level prize fighter in Manny Pacquiao who is looking to vanish the anguish and painful memories of the last time he entered the squared circle when he was be left sprawled out unconscious face first by Juan Manuel Marquez. On the other hand you have the hungry lion looking to take the super stardom status that Pacman has in the relentless Brandon Rios.
I know a lot of people have been writing Manny off lately and saying he’s washed up, past it, seen better days, won’t be able to pull the trigger, etc. But for me I don’t think that will be the case Saturday night. Styles make fights and I think Rios is just all wrong for Pacquiao in a similar way to how Ricky Hatton was a few years back. Pacquiao will have to be at his best here though and razor sharp.
The crazy scene seen yesterday at a gym in Macau where both camps clashed is sure to add some extra spice to an already scintillating clash of styles.
My Pacquiao vs Rios Prediction – Manny Pacquiao by KO/TKO somewhere between rounds 4-8.
(Check out “Iron” Mike Tyson’s take on the fight in the short video below)
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