Wow, what a fight this would be. I would have to say that these warriors would give one of the most memorable fights of all time. My head says Rios is just to much for Ward, but my heart says Ward will find a way late and that he lands enough legendary lefts to the liver to turn the fight around. I see Rios schooling Ward early, but eating body shots on the way in. It slows him down enough to make this a KO for Ward in round 12 by the same punch. My head says Rios makes it to the end and gets a close UD. But Ward loved guys that were there to be hit and wanted to fight. Ward gets the KO round 12.
Rios had a vulnerability to body shots. I think he would be beating Ward handily, but gradually the body shots wear him down, and eventually Ward catches him with one that bends him in half late. Ward KO 10 while down on the cards.
Zab Judah said one of the most painful fights he had ever been in was with Micky Ward because of the brutal body shots. Whenver I hear the name Brandon Rios I remember how the feather fisted Tim Bradley managed to stop him with body shots. That boy folded like an accordion. Doesn't seem like a good combination in theory.
Was thinking about that one today, after re-watching Ward against Augustus and first Gatti fight. Rios seemed more fluid with his offence to me. Ward had great left hook of course, but Brandon's technique and mechanics seemed better as far as rest of the offence go - and his own left hook was not bad at all. Rios might've been a bit stronger as well - so I think He'd have an edge.
