Tuesday afternoon’s conference call hosted by Top Rank featured the stars of this Saturday’s rubber match, Mike Alvarado and Brandon Rios. Questions for both fighters ranged anywhere from Alvarado’s recent legal troubles, to the small depression that Rios faced after fighting Manny Pacquiao.
Starting off the call both fighters were eager to explain their excitement for this fight and what it means for both of their careers. Rios was asked why him and Alvarado put on such a great fight.
“Me and Mike are the same person. We both have problems in and out of the ring. We’re both ghetto, but we’re both real, and real recognize real. We can be friends outside the ring, but as soon as the bell rings we f***in wanna kill each other,” said Rios.
Mike Alvarado agreed with Brandon Rios’ assessment. “We’re both warriors, we’re not afraid to get hit and dish out big hits. We don’t run from each other and we bring the best out in each other. Fans know what kind of fight we’re going to bring,” said Alvarado.
“The best boxing trilogies existed when the two fighters had the utmost respect for each other,” stated Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, who was also asked about how he feels having a fighter like Alvarado who is constantly in trouble.
Arum’s response was pretty interesting, as it seemed he was taking some personal jabs at a particular fighter, maybe one who calls himself “TBE” perhaps?
“There are two different acts of crime. Alvarado isn’t out there getting arrested for hitting a woman, or causing violence with someone who becomes a victim. He’s out there committing a victim-less crime by doing something that he’s simply not supposed to do, like have a gun. I’m not going to sit here and say anything bad about Mike Alvarado,” exclaimed Arum.
Rios mentioned a few times during the call and previous interviews that he had done some soul searching as of late.
“I went back to where I used to be. I went back to my roots and the old way I used to fight. I got too comfortable fighting one style, and that’s why I had back-to-back losses. I walked in the [Manny] Pacquiao fight overly confident, but I was out of shape. I wasn’t prepared. With the [Diego] Chaves fight, he just fought too dirty ’cause I was kicking his ass. But at the end of the day I still got the win. The money and fame got to me, but I wasn’t winning my fights. I’ve completely rejuvenated myself, and you will see that on Saturday night.” – Brandon Rios
Alvarado was forced to answer some questions about his recent arrest, as it had happened just two weeks before fight night. “This didn’t affect my training camp, in fact it made me even hungrier for a win. This whole event has been a huge learning experience for me, but I’m glad I am home, this is where my support system is. I never want to train anywhere else. I want to be here with my family and my daughters,” said Alvarado.
Alvarado has done recent training camps in Los Angeles to avoid distraction, but today he admitted the distraction is everywhere. This homecoming fight might be exactly what Alvarado needs to boost his spirits and his career. Or perhaps Rios’ new attitude on boxing and life might give him the edge he needs to give Alvarado another disappointing loss at home.
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Header photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
