Pacquiao vs. Rios: Fight Time, PPV Info and Fight Card Schedule
As non-world title fights go, boxing matches don't get much more important than this one. Manny "Pac-Man" Pacquiao's career as an elite fighter is on the line this Saturday in Macao, China when he faces Brandon "Bam Bam" Rios.
Coming off two straight losses for the first time in his career, Pacquiao has to not only beat Rios, but he must also defeat him soundly to restore the clout that was once associated with him.
Rios has heard everyone implying he'll be Pacquiao's punching bag in China, but he insists that won't be the case.
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Bad blood has begun to become one of the primary storylines leading up to the fight. Oddly enough, the testy events have had nothing to do with the fighters. Instead, the two trainers and a strength and conditioning coach have traded words and blows.
Early on Wednesday in Macao, an argument between Pacquiao's trainer and Rios' trainer Robert Garcia escalated to a brief scuffle between Roach and Alex Ariza, Rios' strength and conditioning coach, per Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports. Ariza once worked for Pacquiao, but due to issues with Roach, he was fired.
On Wednesday, Ariza kicked Roach in the chest at the apex of the confrontation. I've seen plenty of mock scuffles heading into fights, but unless I'm naive, this one was real.
(Caution, video is filled with NSFW language.)
Hopefully the out-of-ring fighting is done and the guys who are paid to throw punches can get it on. Is an epic battle on the horizon or a one-sided beat down? Here's how you can watch.
When: Saturday, Nov. 23 at 9 p.m. ET
Where: Cotai Arena, Venetian Resort in Macao, China
TV: HBO PPV
Here is the undercard and a closer look at the main event.
| (c)Evgeny Gradovich vs. Billy Dib | IBF Featherweight | Featherweight |
| Andy Ruiz, Jr. vs. Tor Hamer | Heavyweight | |
| Zou Shiming vs. Juan Tozcano | Flyweight | |
| Felix Verdejo vs. Petchsamuthr Duanaaymukdahan | Lightweights |
Here is the tale of the tape for Pacquiao vs. Rios.
| 34 | Age | 27 |
| 5'6.5 | Height | 5'8" |
| 67" | Reach | 68" |
| 54 | W | 31 |
| 5 | L | 1 |
| 38 | KO | 23 |
| 5 | Draws | 1 |
| Philippines | Country | USA |
Punching Bag or Primed for an Upset Win
Leading up to the fight, Rios came off as a fighter who may just be happy to have an opportunity to fight a legend. Lately, that demeanor has changed. He's taken on the persona of a man looking to shock the world. Whether he can accomplish that goal is a different story.
In the second episode of Pacquiao vs. Rios 24/7, Rios' foul-mouthed and rebellious attitude has taken center stage. In an interview with Jhaton Robinson of Vibe Magazine, Rios makes it plain when he says that he has no respect for Pacquiao, and they are not friends.
This is the approach he must have if he is to have any success on Saturday night. Rios' come-forward, less-than defensive style would suggest he's tailor-made for Pacquiao, but we won't know for sure until the two men meet in the middle of the ring.
Desperate Times
Pacquiao is in a tough situation. He's coming off a devastating knockout at the hands of Juan Manuel Marquez. At 34 years old and having already accomplished so much in his career, it is easy to see why many would suggest he retire.
If he loses or struggles against Rios, those suggestions will become strong urges from anyone who truly cares about the Filipino legend. If Pacquiao doesn't beat Rios easily, it will mean a fighter who would have normally been easy work is now competitive with him.
That would be a clear sign it's time to hang up the gloves. Pacquiao's definition of success can't be anything lower than rejoining the conversation for pound-for-pound champion. Any fighter who labors to beat Rios can't call himself that.
Bam Bam is no stiff, but were he in the ring with Floyd Mayweather Jr., Timothy Bradley or even Juan Manuel Marquez, he'd be dismantled. If Pacquiao still wants his name mentioned in the same breath as those men, he needs to blow Rios away.
Prediction
Rios' style is very similar to that of Antonio Margarito; he may have a slight edge in foot speed. No matter the marginal advantage in swiftness for Rios over Margarito, Pacquiao's speed should be the biggest factor. Barring a drastic decline in physical skills, this should be the showcase fight Pacquiao needs to get boxing fans' attention.
Expect Manny to come out ferocious from the outset and to look for a quick stoppage. This will give Rios a window of opportunity, but Pacquiao is still too fast and too strong to be denied.
Pacquiao will win by sixth-round stoppage with little-to-no concerns.
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