Key #1 for Mike Alvarado Box from the Outside!
Photo by Josh Hedges/Getty Images
By Peter Nieves
There’s a saying, the third times a charm. Mike Alvarado must surely hope so as he takes on Brandon Rios for a third time. It’s no secret to Brandon Rios that Alvarado can hit and hit hard enough to cause trouble in the ring. In their first bout, Alvarado started off strong using his naturally bigger size to control the ring and land the more potent punches.
As the fight progressed, it was Rios who got the better of Alvarado, landing so many shots on the inside that it was too much damage to the referee’s eyes and the fight was stopped. Alvarado learned his lesson the hard way but came back with a different game plan in the second fight. Fighting from the outside using his one-inch height and arm length advantage over Rios, Alvarado kept his opponent at bay and won on a close decision.
If Alvarado has learned anything from the past two encounters, it’s that Brandon has a hell of a chin and rarely takes a step back. Not only that Brandon doesn’t seem to mind getting hit! In order for Alvarado to be successful and close the books on this trilogy with a W, he’s going to have to win this fight by trying to outbox Rios.
This means staying on the outside, using his jab to set up his lethal right hand that stunned Rios in the past, and not getting too involved in those inside exchanges where it’s “you hit me, I hit you, and lets see who gets hurt first”. Rios has a pair of heavy hands and when fighting on the inside his uppercuts have to feel like brick. Alvarado will fair better if he stays away from them as much as possible.
Key #1 for Brandon Rios Don’t Let Alvarado Breathe
Pressure. That’s the one thing Brandon Rios does exceptionally well. He applies that heat. He tests you, your will and your makeup.
He wears his man down due to sheer volume. Mike Alvarado has been through hell in his last couple of bouts, so Rios needs to let him know immediately that there will be no reprieve here.
He should stick his head right into Alvarado’s chest, and continue throwing bombs while he gives him the old Provodnikov treatment.
“Mile High” has been broken before. Rios needs to stay all over him until he breaks again.
