Mike Alvarado vs. Brandon Rios
All photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Lou Catalano, Senior Writer
What do you do when you’ve got two fighters who don’t have much success outside of fighting each other? You toss both faded guys into the ring a third time and cash in, dammit!
Brandon Rios took the first fight by sheer force, hurting Mike Alvarado enough to convince referee (and overall bad ass) Pat Russell to shut Alvarado down. In the second match, “Mile High” eschewed brawling for boxing, taking the fight by close decision.
So what happens here? Since their first two fights, Alvarado has been mercilessly beaten to shit by Ruslan Provodnikov and then whipped by Juan Manuel “What New Muscle?” Marquez.
Rios was smacked around and embarrassed by Manny Pacquiao and then scored a shitty DQ over Diego Chaves. While they’re not the same fighters they were even two years ago, so what? They are both usually in action-packed bouts and they’ll find the sizzle once again here. I’m picking Rios to stop Alvarado in another shootout.
Prediction: Rios
Brandon Glass, Contributing Writer
I’m looking forward to this fan-friendly scrap. Both guys came in undefeated at the start of this bloody trilogy and after 19 rounds; they both have wins over the other, splitting the series. Now, scheduled to go another 12, both Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado have had rough stretches since they last faced each other. They both stepped up in weight and competition, though it didn’t go so well for their records it went better for their wallets.
Rios won his last contest, an ugly fight (marred with dirty tactics employed by both guys), that culminated in a controversial disqualification over the rugged Argentine, Diego Chaves. That fight came after Rios was totally outclassed–but game–as a glorified tune up for Manny Pacquiao’s “return to prominence” tour.
Alvarado got brutalized by Ruslan Provodnikov, losing the WBO light welterweight title, in his first defense. After that crushing defeat, he was then matched up with Juan Manuel Marquez in a WBO International welterweight title fight in which he got outclassed from bell to bell.
Ultimately, what this fight boils down to is, how will Alvarado fight? Alvarado on paper seems to be the better of the two based on the fact he’s won the majority of those 19 rounds they’ve fought against each other. Their fights usually hinge on whether Alvarado plays it smart, stays behind his jab and boxes from a distance; or whether he succumbs to Rios’s primal aggression and relentless pressure, engaging in an all-out slugfest. The fans are more captivated by the latter scenario, as it understandably makes for the type of fights that can become instant classics. Will this trilogy be remembered like Gatti vs. Ward, Morales vs. Barrera or Vasquez vs. Marquez?
It’s possible, as their first meeting was chosen as 2012’s fight of the year. However, if the fight is great for the fans, that means Alvarado is fighting Rios’ fight and could likely lead to him being stopped. Those vicious exchanges usually begin when Rios lands a huge shot and hurts Alvarado. Conversely, Alvarado has hurt Rios before, though he has never put him down. Despite possible jail time looming due to out-of-the ring issues, I think Alvarado uses that as motivation to fight the fight of his life, much like Kobe in dropping 81 in 03’-04’ during the his infamous “trial.” Alvarado is going to use his footwork and jab to avoid slug fests for tight, controlled exchanges and outboxes Rios to another victory and championship.
Prediction: Alvarado
Zuri Lopez, Staff Writer
In the first two fights between them, both Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado have definitely given it their all. It’s interesting to see what will happen this third time around.
Since their last fight, Rios suffered a loss to Manny Pacquiao and then was in a controversial matchup against Diego Chaves, where he won by disqualification. This is it for Rios, he has to come through and win this fight if he still wants to be considered a dangerous opponent.
Rios seems more determined than ever to win this fight and I believe he is hungry enough to achieve it. Alvarado on the other hand just doesn’t seem like he’s prepared well enough for this. He looks a little distracted, and with all the ongoing drama he has outside of the ring that might just be too much for him. He has to be careful going into the ring with Rios on Saturday night, because this time Rios is ready, focused and coming for him.
Prediction: Rios
Alex McLeish, Staff Writer
The game plans were laid out in the first two fights: if it’s a brawl, advantage Brandon Rios, but if Mike Alvarado boxes smart, he takes the advantage.
I just don’t think Alvarado has as much in the tank as Rios does at this point. That’s good for fight fans, bombs away.
Prediction: Rios
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
Both men have had their fair share of wars, with each other as well as with the likes of Juan Manuel Marquez and Diego Chaves. They have also taken their fair share of beatings–see Ruslan Provodnikov and Manny Pacquiao.
I believe that Brandon Rios can mentally and physically take all that Mike Alvarado has to offer. I’m not so sure Alvarado can take all that Rios will throw at him.
Rios also has a better corner as he is trained by Robert Garcia. And, as far as we all know, Rios does not have the kind of distractions that Alvarado has these days as Alvarado deals with recent legal issues.
I live Rios to win, more than likely by mid-to-late round knockout.
Prediction: Rios
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
The rubber match between these two promises to be another fan friendly fight that shouldn’t disappoint. Although it appears that neither of these fighters have much more gas left in the tank, they should have enough to provide us one more memorable fight. Brandon Rios will come in, attack and try to lure Mike Alvarado into a slugfest.
Although I truly believe “Mile High” Mike has more of an array of tools he can use, many times he is too willing to engage even if it’s against his better judgment. For Alvardao to win he must be that boxer puncher he was in the second fight. Does that version of Mike Alvarado still exist? My guess is no.
I think Rios has just enough left in him and for once has less distractions than his opponent as well as a bit less ring punishment and he will pull out the victory.
Prediction: Rios
Peter Nieves, Staff Writer
This matchup to me is really a pick ’em bout. I believe its really going to come down to who can stick to their gameplan better. Both guys want to have a war and that has been proven in both fights.
If Mike Alvarado can avoid making it brawl in the middle of the ring he has a great chance at winning this by fighting from the outside, but I just can’t see him retreating once he feels that first blow land. Therefore, I’m going with Brandon Rios for this one.
Brandon seems to enjoy getting hit while he’s hitting you back, and I’m under the impression that he has the stronger chin(not taking anything away from Alvarados).
Rios and Alvarado are going to give everyone what they expect, which is an all out war! Brandon is going to get the better of the exchanges in the inside using his uppercut to set up monstrous right hands and by the 10th round will be too much for Alvarado to handle until the stretch of the fight.
Prediction: Rios
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
As Saturday night’s final chapter between Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado approaches, I almost have a guilty feeling. I want to see another epic chapter, but at the same time I fear for these guys and their long-term health. In two years, both guys have taken the accumulated beating you would expect to endure over an entire career.
But hey, that’s why we love them, right? There aren’t many people that would sign up for a second, let alone a third fight knowing that it’s going to be an absolute war–but then again these warriors aren’t normal, everyday people.
As far as who wins this installment, I believe that Rios has a little more left in the tank. Alvarado will try to box early on, but once he gets cracked one good time, his warrior instincts will impair his better judgement and we’ll see some serious fireworks.
I like Rios to be able to lure Alvarado into staying on the inside and then capitalizing will well placed uppercuts. Wouldn’t be surprised at a stoppage victory for Rios.
Prediction: Rios
