Boxing 360’s Pick: Brandon Rios came away with the victory the first time around but he paid a heavy physical toll. So did “Mile High” Mike Alvarado. It was the kind of fight where both men left a lot of themselves behind in the ring. How that plays into this fight is anyone’s guess.
Rios trains in Oxnard under the guidance of Trainer of the Year Robert Garcia in Oxnard, CA. For this camp, Rios has added controversial strength coach Angel “Memo” Heredia who got Juan Manuel Marquez in shape for his last two fights with Manny Pacquiao. It is hard to say what one camp with Heredia will do for Rios.
Alvarado trained at home in Colorado and showed up to the final press conference with odd wounds that didn’t seem to have fully healed on his face and neck. Will he cut this time?
The first fight was a pressure fighter’s dream and heaven for boxing fans. How will the second fight play out? Likely the same way this time with Rios starting a little bit faster this time out and Alvarado staying on the outside. We predict Alvarado catches Rios coming in late and drops him. That knockdown will the difference in a great fight.
Alvarado by split decision.
