It’s Rios for Pacquiao in Macau

NONSTOP, crowd-pleasing action is expected when Manny Pacquiao returns to the ring against Brandon Rios on Nov. 24 in Macau.

This is what promoter Bob Arum also envisions as he made good his word that Pacquiao’s next fight will be held outside the United States.

“We want to get the people a really good, exciting action fight,” Arum told Associated Press Monday. “It’s a good matchup.”

Rios, with his aggression and wide-open stance, mirrors the style of Pacquiao, who will be fighting in Asia for the first time since 2006, when he beat Mexican Oscar Lerios in Manila.

But the 27-year-old Rios also poses danger. The cocky American is a hard-hitting, daredevil of a fighter endowed with a granite chin.

The match, set at welterweight, will be held at the CotaiArena in The Venetian Macao.

Though both boxers are coming off losses—Pacquiao via a sixth-round knockout to Juan Manuel Marquez last December and Rios via unanimous decision to erstwhile victim Mike Alvarado on March 30—the 12-round bout is certain to get global attention.

It is also of special interest to Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach, who harbors a grudge against Rios and his trainer Robert Garcia.

In 2010, a video showed Rios and stable-mate Antonio Margarito mimicking Roach, who is suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, with Garcia in the background.

Pacquiao’s purse is certain to top $20 million with Rios expected to get over $3 million.