Manny Pacquiao following his victory over Brandon Rios (Photo: Chris Farina – Top Rank)
By Chris Robinson
Manny Pacquiao’s career looks to be back on track following a commanding unanimous decision over a very game Brandon Rios last night inside of the Venetian Resort’s Coati Arena in Macau, China.
Showing glimpses of the fighter that awed the boxing public with his trademark speed, movement, and combinations, Pacquiao was in control for almost every minute of the match outside of a few rally attempts from Rios.
After watching the fight unfold, junior middleweight veteran Rashad Holloway, a former sparring mate of Pacquiao’s, expressed how it was simply pleasing to see his old friend get a win following his disastrous knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez this past December.
“It was good to see him back in the winner’s bracket,” Holloway stated. “Manny’s a good dude; it’s kind of hard to root against him. I was happy with just him winning, period.”
Despite the victory, Holloway was still able to tell how the 34-year old Pacquiao seemed a little uneasy at key points in the fight.
“After being off for so long and after having that tragic ending to his last fight, I think any fighter, a lot can play in your mind,” Holloway stated. “It seemed like he was a little unsure of himself at times defensively. At times I would see him back up and he would just square up and Rios would throw away, just bombs away.
“I even saw him got hit with a shot and he said he got hurt in the fight,” Holloway added. “That just didn’t seem like the old Manny to me. He didn’t see alert at all times, but I think just getting this win and getting him back to where he’s confident and real sharp [was important].”
For years the general public debated the possibility of Pacquiao facing off with the world’s premier pound for pound fighter, Floyd Mayweather.
The fight had great interest not too long ago but the buzz came to a screeching halt after Pacquiao’s setback against Marquez.
Holloway does feel that a showdown with Floyd could be embraced by fans and insiders, but only if Pacquiao were to avenge either his mishap to Marquez or his controversial split-decision loss to Tim Bradley this past June.
“At this point I would like to see one of two things,” Holloway revealed. “Either him fight Bradley again or him fight Juan Manuel Marquez. Those are the only two fights that would honestly make him valid enough to fight Mayweather again in my opinion.
“I see him having to fight Marquez and having to completely dominate him, knock him; fight Bradley and completely dominate him, knock him out, in order for the fans to want that same fight like they did before,” said Holloway.
PLEASE CHECK BELOW for more all-access Pacquiao vs. Rios coverage…
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Adrien Broner takes shots at Brandon Rios: ‘I guess he was busting nuts all afternoon in China’
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Tim Bradley says he dominated Marquez; only has intest in facing Mayweather or Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios Official Weigh-In from Macau, China [11.22.2013]
Sugar Ray Leonard gives his quick take on Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios
Tim Bradley talks Pacquiao vs. Rios: ‘Freddie Roach always plays mental games’
Roy Jones Jr. – ‘Pacquiao is clearly the better boxer; Rios is clearly the better brawler’
Marco Antonio Barrera believes that Manny Pacquiao’s movement will be key against Rios
Freddie Roach sees flaws in Floyd Mayweather’s game and hopes Pacquiao can one day face him
Mike Alvarado: ‘I’ve got Pacquiao in a later stoppage against Rios’
Floyd Mayweather Sr. reacts to the brawl between Freddie Roach and Alex Ariza
Freddie Roach opens up on the confrontation with Team Rios, his racist comments, and the aftermath
Near brawl in Macau as Freddie Roach confronts Team Rios and gets kicked by Alex Ariza
Manny Pacquiao showing off his speed and power in Macau ahead of showdown with Rios
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Manny Pacquiao opens up on his training for Rios, Brandon’s power, the Typhoon in the Philippines, and more
Freddie Roach calls Brandon Rios a ‘pretender’ and eyes Floyd Mayweather for Manny Pacquiao
Shawn Porter feels the old Manny Pacquiao will return against Brandon Rios
Brandon Rios believes that his pressure will negate Manny Pacquiao’s speed
Miguel Diaz says Pacquiao’s knockout loss to Marquez ‘means nothing’; favors him over Rios
Juan Manuel Marquez favors Pacquiao over Brandon Rios but shoots down a fifth fight with Manny
Brandon Rios says people in China don’t like Manny Pacquiao
Gennady Golovkin feels Brandon Rios could suffer the same fate as Margarito did against Pacquiao
Robert Garcia opens up on Alex Ariza joining Team Rios; insists he won’t take any drama in camp
Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com