5 Attributes That Give Brandon Rios a Chance Against Manny Pacquiao

When Brandon Rios challenges Manny Pacquiao in Macau, China later this month, he will be a significant underdog. Most oddsmakers are currently listing him at approximately 9-2.

In comment sections and on social media sites, boxing fans have expressed significant doubt about Rios' qualifications for this high-profile pay-per-view fight. If Rios couldn't beat Mike Alvarado last March, how will he possibly beat the legendary Pac-Man?

Rios is viewed as an underdog with good reason. Although he is an exciting fighter, he has never displayed the kind of all-around boxing skills that would seem necessary to beat a pound-for-pound star like Pacquiao.

But if Rios shocks the world and wins, it will hardly be the biggest upset in boxing history. While I would not recommend betting your rent money on Rios next week, it's a mistake to view him as a complete walk-over for Pacquiao, at least at this point in the Filipino star's career.    

Durability

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Brandon Rios is a durable fighter who has always thrived in physical, back-and-forth battles. He is a classic take-two-to-give-one fighter, and you don't win world championships and compile an outstanding record by fighting that way if you aren't a rugged dude.

Aside from his fight against Richar Abril in April 2012, I have never seen Rios in a fight where he did not appear to be well-conditioned. His training sessions are grueling and designed to make sure he can weather an all-out ring war.

Even though Rios is the one moving up in weight here, I would maintain that he's a naturally larger man than Manny Pacquiao. The publicity photos of the two of them together seem to confirm this.

At age 25, Rios had outgrown the lightweight division two years ago, when he lost his belt on the scales before fighting John Murray. Pacquiao is a former flyweight who at 25 years old was still competing comfortably at featherweight.

Punching Volume and Accuracy

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While Rios will never be confused with a boxing technician, he does possess significant offensive skills. He throws a ton of punches in fluid, accurate flurries. 

Rios traditionally throws in the neighborhood of 80 or more punches a round and consistently lands in the 25 to 40 percent range. He throws a lot more power punches than jabs, and he lands at a higher percentage with them. 

Pacquiao will be a harder target to hit than Rios is used to and a more formidable offensive threat in return. But expect Rios to be flinging leather for as long as he is standing, and at least some of those punches are going to land.

Ideal Mix of Youth and Experience

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At 27, Rios is in his athletic prime. At the same time, he is an experienced veteran. He has 33 professional fights and has been fighting at the world-class level since he was 24.

Before turning professional, Rios had an outstanding amateur career, which included a U.S. National Championship and a spot as an Olympic alternate. He has been fighting in meaningful, high-pressure fights since he was a teenager. 

This will be his first time headlining a pay-per-view, but he's coming in with plenty of big-fight experience. During his extensive media appearances to promote this fight, he has seemed relaxed and comfortable. 

Rios won't be overwhelmed by the circumstances of this mega-event. He has the necessary experience to draw upon. 

Emotional Intensity

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Brandon Rios loves to fight. During some of his most brutal battles, he appeared exuberant. 

I've interviewed him before, and his passion for the sport is obvious. "I'm a warrior, man," he told me. "I just love to get in there and trade punches and see who can take it." 

So the opportunity to face a dangerous opponent like Manny Pacquiao is just the sort of opportunity that Rios will welcome with enthusiasm.

If Pacquiao is landing heavy leather, Rios won't be discouraged. He'll simply turn it up another notch and keep scrapping for as long as he can.  

Right Fighter at the Right Time

This is the one aspect of the situation that Brandon Rios has no control over, but it's the most important one. Realistically, his only real shot to win might hinge upon whether or not Manny Pacquiao has reached a vulnerable point in his career.

Pacquiao is still just 34, so he is by no means ancient in the modern game. The last time he was in the ring against Juan Manuel Marquez last December, he spent much of the fight looking like his usual quick and explosive self.  

But the fight ended in devastating fashion for Pacquiao. The kind of shocking, single-punch knockout that Marquez served up to Pacquiao can be difficult to bounce back from.

Out-of-ring distractions have been an issue for him in his past few fights. Whenever an athlete crosses over to superstar status, life gets much more complicated. Pacquiao has taken that dynamic one step further by becoming a congressman in his native Philippines. 

And with his beloved homeland suffering from the devastation left earlier this month by a record-breaking typhoon, he no doubt has bigger things than boxing on his mind in the final days leading up to the showdown. 

Pacquiao will want to turn in one of his classic performances against Rios, if for no other reason than to provide his countrymen with a temporary distraction and cause for celebration. But that might end up being a heavy burden to take into the ring against a hungry challenger like Rios.