UPDATE: Pacquiao defeats Brandon Rios in unanimous decision. Scorecards read 120-108, 119-111 and 118-112.
Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios meet in the ring today as they face off for the WBO International Welterweight title, which is currently vacant. Here are predictions for this anticipated bout as power and youth will face speed and experience.
It should not be a mystery, boxing fans would know which assets belong to each boxer. For Pacquiao, his boxing has always beeng about speed and smarts. He is able to sneak unexpected punches past his opponents and a lot has been made about Pacquiao's ability to throw punches from difference angles, catching his opponents by surprise. Many fans might not be familiar with Rios because he has mainly fought undercards throughout his career. Rios is an attacker who can take punches. He is strong and seven years younger than Pacquiao.
Strategy
Pacquiao's worst flaw in his last fight, which was the dramatic K.O. at the hands of Juan Manuel Marquez over a year ago, was applying pressure. Pacquiao had the fight in his pockets. Marquez's nose was bleeding profusely, but the Filipino was hit with hard right and that sent him to the canvas.
Pacquiao should have backed off, especially in the closing seconds of the round. There was no reason for Pacman to even be close to Marquez in the last 10 seconds of the round. Granted, these were very exciting rounds, Pacquiao probably felt comfortable fighting at the center of the ring. However, for this fight, the center of the ring will not be his friend.
We have seen Rios over and over take punches and simply laugh them off and ask for more. It will be a challenge for the 34-year-old Pacquiao to knockout the younger Rios, so going for the home run in this bout will almost seem impossible. Pacquiao will have to work Rios in and out. Go in for a few blows and then back off.
The worst thing Pacquiao could do here is apply pressure, stand at the middle of the ring and go blow-for-blow with Rios. Rios is a brawler. Pacquiao has to make Rios the aggressor and tire him out, learn of any weaknesses and work on exposing them until Rios is somehow mentally broken.
Prediction:
Pacquiao will need 12 rounds to win this battle. He is still capable of fighting as he proved in his last bout. However, it was a poor choice that landed Pacquiao in the canvas and away from boxing for over a year. Pacquiao will win and it will take him 12 rounds to eventually put away the younger boxer.
