Manny Pacquiao Can't Afford to Underestimate Brandon Rios Saturday

Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2) will step into the ring against Brandon Rios (31-1-1) on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Venetian Macao in Macau, China, needing a decisive win to get his career back on track. Coming off two consecutive losses, "Pac Man" must not underestimate the talent of his challenger, and he can’t give Rios a chance to stun the world.

As seen in Pacquiao's last two fights, he has become complacent with his attacks at times and it has cost him dearly. Whether it was the decision loss to Timothy Bradley or the brutal knockout he suffered at the hands of Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao understands that he could have won both of those bouts with a more aggressive game plan.

As shown against Marquez, though, Pac Man still must use his defensive skill set effectively.

Rios is one of the most aggressive fighters Pacquiao has ever fought. Using his lack of fear and his ability to land heavy strikes with accuracy and speed, Rios will be looking to find his distance against the challenger early in the bout. Once he finds a rhythm, he will look to immediately start accumulating damage on the veteran and set the stage for a potential knockout.

There is no questioning Rios’ talent as an offensive striker, but it could be his unwavering confidence in his ability that gives him the best chance to beat Pacquiao. He told Gareth A. Davies of The Telegraph about his mindset heading into the big fight:

"

They think I'm no problem but I'm going to be a huge problem. This camp is the best I've ever had. I've been disciplined. I've followed my diet and done everything I need to win. Everyone thinks I'm a tune-up fight - I'm nobody's tune-up fight and nobody's punch bag. A punching bag don’t punch back. I'm a monster when I get in that ring. On Sunday a new star is on the rise.

"

That mixture of anger and confidence is what makes Rios an even more dangerous fighter, and there is no question that he will enter the fight with a major chip on his shoulder.

Pacquiao must be aware of his opponent’s offensive mindset and thwart it.

He should expect Rios to come out in the first round and attack with ferocity. After weathering the barrage of heavy strikes in the first minutes of the opening round, Pac Man will have the chance to make it very clear to his opponent that he’s in for a long fight with his own flurry of offense.

With a mix of defensive prowess and offense counterpunching, Pacquiao must allow the younger Rios to wear himself out in the early stages of rounds, and then attack hard to mount damage and win the points on the judges’ scorecards.

Rios doesn’t have the big-fight experience that his opponent possesses and will undoubtedly let his adrenaline get the better of him. Once Rios wears himself out trying to find a hole in Pacquiao’s defense, he will be softened up enough for the veteran to start landing hard shots.

The desire to avenge his two previous losses and get his career back on track will drive Pac Man, and he will not underestimate his opponent.

Instead of taking the challenge lightly, Pacquiao will rise to the occasion and end this fight with a TKO in the eighth round.  

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