They picked the wrong guy, says Rios

BRANDON Rios resents trainer Freddie Roach’s broadsides. “I am not a punching bag. Punching bags don’t hit back.” ROY LUARCA

MACAU—Brandon Rios gnashed his teeth as he spoke intensely, passionately.

“Honestly, they picked the wrong fight,” Rios told Manila-based journalists yesterday, referring to Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach and Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao.

“I’m ready and I’m hungry. And when you’re hungry nobody can stop you.” (See related story below.)

Rios, who arrived in this gambling haven Wednesday, said he’s in the best shape of his life after undergoing five months of intense training, including more than 150 rounds of sparring, for the biggest fight of his career that would pay him $4 million.

Pacquiao is assured of $16 million in his showdown with Rios this Sunday at Cotai Arena inside the Venetian Macao Resort-Hotel.

“They think I am a punching bag, but I am not,” said Rios. “I’m no tuneup fighter. Punching bags don’t hit back.”

For another, he said weight is no longer an issue and he can eat anything he wants.

While he brought in a chef, Rios said it was conditioning trainer Alex Ariza who supervises his diet, complemented by protein shakes and vitamins.

Ariza had worked with Pacquiao for five years before getting the boot from Roach, weeks before Pacman’s training started.

“I’ll be at my peak on the day of the fight,” said the 27-year-old Rios.

“The weight is no issue,” added the American, the former lightweight champion, who bragged that he could fight all the way up to the 154 lb class.

“I’m the bigger guy physically,” said the 5-foot-9 Rios. Pacquiao stands 5-6 1/2.

While he’s thankful for the windfall brought about by the Pacquiao fight, Rios said it’s not all about the money. “This (boxing) is my passion.”

Pacquiao is scheduled to arrive in a chartered flight here last night with a huge entourage that includes Roach and Filipino trainers Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri. Adviser Michael Koncz planed in Sunday to arrange  Team Pacquiao’s arrival.

True to his normal pre-fight routine, Pacquiao still sweated it out at Wild Card Gym in General Santos City in the afternoon before closing training camp.