Manny Pacquiao facing Brandon Rios on Saturday night in Macau, China (Photo: Chris Farina – Top Rank)
By Chris Robinson
On Saturday night, former lightweight champion Brandon Rios came up short against Manny Pacquiao.
For twelve frustrating rounds inside of the Venetian Resort’s Coati Arena, Pacquiao was simply too dynamic and sharp for Rios, as he used his movement and combination punching to nullify any kind of attack that the Kansas native attempted to bring.
Watching the fight from ringside, Rios’ stable mate and current WBO junior lightweight champion Mikey Garcia gave Pacquiao his deserved credit.
“Brandon came up short,” Garcia stated in an interview with Elie Seckbach. “He tried; he did his best. Manny was just too fast for him and made it more difficult that he was a southpaw. He gave him different angles and Manny looked very good.
“Brandon’s a big guy and he was taking those punches very well,” Garcia added. “But he was faster than Brandon. He beat him with speed.”
When asked if he had personal interest in a fight with Pacquiao, Garcia pointed out that he’s already hinting towards such a clash.
“Why not?” Garcia asked. “That’s what I’m already telling them. I think I would beat him. I think I would actually stop him. I have confidence and I think I have what it takes to beat him.”
PLEASE CHECK BELOW for more all-access Pacquiao vs. Rios coverage…
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Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com