The template for Brandon Rios vs. Mike Alvarado 3 was laid out in their first two fights. A slugfest certainly benefits Brandon Rios, while a fight resembling more of a boxing match would benefit Mike Alvarado.
Rios has been quoted this week saying he would contemplate retirement if he were to lose to Alvarado, leaving a lot riding on a victory. Alvarado on the other hand has lost three of his last four bouts and has ongoing legal troubles outside of the ring that could result in distractions coming into the fight.
Whatever the outcome, I think it’s safe to say that it’s boxing fans who should come out victorious in the end.
Here are my three keys to victory for Brandon Rios.
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1. Fill Up That CompuBox
If you look at the CompuBox numbers for Brandon Rios-Mike Alvarado 1 and 2, you see that punches were being thrown at a much higher rate in their first fight.
Both boxers were throwing far less jabs and were landing them at a much lower percentage. They were also both on pace to throw and land significantly more power punches in the first fight than in the second, had the first fight not been stopped in the seventh round.
This is the formula that will result in victory for Rios: Less boxing, more brawling. Less jabbing, more power punches. Cut off the ring and work Alvarado to the body. Throw, throw and throw some more.
Nothing’s more frustrating to a taller/longer boxer than constant pressure while they are moving backwards.
2. Be The Tougher Man
We know how tough Brandon Rios is. We’ve seen him take a licking and keep on ticking.
Mike Alvarado, on the other hand, has been stopped in two of his three defeats–once by Rios himself and the other against Ruslan Provodnikov, who made Alvarado quit on his stool in front of his home crowd).
I was smiling ear to ear during Rios-Alvarado 1 as I watched Rios yelling over his trainer Robert Garcia’s instructions saying “I love this shit! I love this shit!” That’s the type of mentality that can give Rios a big edge in this fight. Turn it into a war and make sure Alvarado knows how much you love it.
3. War “Bam Bam”
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Rios earned the nickname “Bam Bam” by being a strong, rugged boxer who will throw a lot of punches and who isn’t afraid of a war. If he wants to avoid a loss, he’d better show up as that fighter who won us over while competing for titles at lightweight and super lightweight.
If he needs to make it ugly then so be it, if that’s what it’s going to take. War early and war often; when Alvarado tries to box, make him pay for it. He needs to be the better man Saturday night and put himself in a position to compete at a higher level once again.
If Rios does this, he’ll win the fight, win the fans, and will avoid that retirement plan.
