GOING by their respective knockout ratio, underdog Brandon Rios (31-1-1, 23 knockouts) stands more than just two inches taller than Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KOs).
Both combatants, among the hottest KO chasers today, seek a stoppage when they tangle at the Venetian Macao Resort-Hotel at noontime this Sunday.
Pacquiao remains the awesome favorite.
But, for the record, Rios, 27, towers a full head over the 34-year-old Pacquiao in the area of abbreviated bouts. Rios did not like the idea that Freddie Roach, in particular, doesn’t treat him seriously
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Here’s why: Rios has lost (only) once but has never been knocked out.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, has lost a total of five times, while suffering a total of three stoppages, the last one exploding vividly like a terminal toppling.
Of course, it doesn’t serve the debate on who’s tougher of the two by saying the record should speak for itself.
The truth is, sensational as he is, Rios has never fought anybody with the might and stature of Pacquiao, the only eight-division world champion.
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With his vast edge in style, experience and speed, Pacquiao could outpoint Rios seven days a week.
But what’s a bit perplexing was the vehement command by trainer Freddie Roach for Pacquiao to go for a stoppage—the earlier, the better.
Roach did offer some modification by later saying Pacquiao would not be caught rumbling and brawling, but would instead box and fight intelligently.
In the same breath, though, Roach stressed that Sunday’s main event at the Cotai Arena inside the Venetian Macao would not go past round six.
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Nothing could indeed be more startling, sparkling than a knockout.
But, given the chance, Pacquiao should not hesitate to suggest that a classic conquest, completed masterfully, could be doubly redeeming than a savage stoppage.
It’s like this: Questions—some asked and others left dangling—lingered as Manny Pacquiao headed with his team for Macau on a chartered Philippine Airlines flight yesterday afternoon.
Pacquiao will go all out in a bid to redeem himself, rebuild his reign, reinspire his countrymen.
This reporter had booked a flight later on Monday, and should be in the fight site at the Venetian Macao a little later than the amiable Mr. Roach.
The idea is to seek out the multi-awarded Hall-of-Fame mentor to ask him, very kindly:
“What’s the hurry, Freddie?”