This weekend fight fans will be treated to another fight of the year between Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado. Their first fight was a barn burner and immediate candidate for fight of the year. Most of the fight was fought on equal footing, until Rios was finally able to hurt Alvarado and end matters in the 7th. This time around Rios is the favorite to win.
Rios, as pictured above on the left, looked a bit emaciated to me, I am not sure what weight he walks around at, but it looks like he lost a lot of weight while Alvarado looked far better. Also, Rios has been in some serious wars and something I think takes an even bigger toll is that he was often struggling to make weight before going into those fights. However, his last fight against Alvarado, none of that seemed to matter. He took a good punch, was clearly in great shape and showed he belonged in that division, which he had just moved up to. Alvarado looked as if he could have boxed a little more, taken less punishment, and perhaps won the fight. But, the warrior in him would not allow him to employ a game plan like that. While Rios won the first fight, I thought Alvarado showed that he possessed greater skill than Rios, even if he did not actually use all of them.
What should happen
What we are all expecting is a continuation of the first fight. Both guys coming out, going to war, and Rios eventually overcoming Alvarado. Its really that simple, fight until someone falls, and it should be Rios who prevails.
What could happen
Alvarado showed some good skills and boxing knowledge in the first fight, however, he did not always employ his greater skill. If he and his team learned anything from the first fight its that both guys can hurt each other, and Rios is one dimensional. It is one hell of a dimension, but he can be outboxed. If Alvarado boxes and moves, picks his spots, he can surprise a lot of people and being the bigger guy, he could wear Rios down and possibly stop him.
What I think will happen
I think Alvarado will certainly try to employ a different strategy but I am not sure how long this will last. How long can he box before the pressure of Rios forces him to fight? Can he do enough damage to wear Rios down? This is what makes the fight tough for me to call because if Alvarado is able to box effectively, I think he can beat Rios. My concern is Alvarado's mentality, how long can he do this before the warrior in him comes out and he decides to go toe to toe? If Alvarado can maintain a different strategy I think he will win, however, if he cannot or does not then Rios will repeat his victory over Alvarado.
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