translates to "we want to throw him a tomato can next, possibly from the port authority or a taxi rank"
Which is what most first title defenses equate too. I don't really have a problem with that. His fight with Acosta was brutal.
What's wrong with a good solid first-up defence against a well picked opponent? :huh Doesn't make you a hero to match up deep every single fight, that only leads to short shelf life. Go deep time after time like a Gatti or Corrales when your a real name and are earning huge money for it. Rios has got that tv receptive, fan-friendly, come from behind with a big finish style, but he ain't at that level of 'name' yet. Cameron Dunkin, Rios' manager ain't no fool. He'd be wanting the kid to have the right fights to earn some money and then jump back in on the 2nd or 3rd defence when they build it/match against the right opponent for big money. There's plenty of good fighters at 135lbs to make a nice first up defence when he return's that will also make for an entertaining fight.
HBO and SHowtime, don't play thous games any more, if you won't the money you must fight top fighters, the only way is if he is on a PPV card.
No one's saying he's going to fight bum's, but Dunkin and Top Rank won't send him to war over and over. Good well matched fights get sold to the networks all the time. If anything, Top Rank's card quality has risen again over the last 12 months with a good top-to-bottom quality angle taken. I slightly disagree about HBO, they still by some ****, especially from Al Haymon fighters. You only have to look at Andre Berto's career to see that and Golden Boy have had Victor Ortiz on HBO countless times and he's pure rubbish. I don't think the weekend's fights were PPV were they? I could be wrong. HBO's Boxing after Dark or World Championship Boxing aren't PPV as far as I'm aware also, again I could be wrong? Rios will fight quality, it just won't be Acosta, followed by Katisidis, followed by Barerra, followed by Soto, war, war, war, etc, etc. There's plenty of top action at 135lbs to match great fights. He's obviously got a big set of kahuna's on him so if you asked him, he'd probably be happy too and he end's up like a Gatti and being a highlight reel every fight! The kid's a good talent and potentially going to have a fine career and bank some good $ for his family, overall the name of the game.
No it wasn't a PPV. Berto is facing Ortiz next up. I actually think that'll be a decent fight. Welterweight is thin right now, until the guys from 140 move up. .
In fairness to Berto, he's been matched light as through his career but I believe he has far too much for Ortiz who I think is terribly light in the 'jam tart' department. He'll want the **** out of there when it all get's a bit too hot to handle.
I actually think Berto can fight, just hasn't had the opportunity to show it yet. I'd have backed him to beat Mosley. Right now, he's too much risk and not enough reward for the bigger guys. Hopefully he follows Ortiz with someone like Clottey.
Nah disagree there. I'd hate to see him against Clottey as I think he's far too quick for Clottey and he'd clam up again like he did against Pac. Due to styles (and yes I know it won't happen!), Berto vs. Pac would be great in my opinion as Berto is very fast and can punch I feel. I just like the idea of that as a match-up.
At least Clottey is a name though. He won't land a fight with Pacquiao if he hasn't got a couple on the resume. If he can tear through Ortiz and then blast Clottey, you never know. I doubt it, but as I said, 147 is threadbare.
Couldn't agree more. Berto being under Al Haymon control (DiBella is just the promoter face!) I think might work against him in the future getting a deal over the line with Godfather Bob for Pac! Kermit Cintron is handled by DiBella, it would be an easy bout for them to make. I read somewhere recently where Cintron was heading back to 147lbs as the move to 154lbs hasn't paid dividends. Godfather Bob would want to see Berto face someone like Margarito first I would think before even contemplating letting him have a shot at Pac.