Brandon Rios In For Kelly Pavlik: 10 Fighters Who’d Be Better Replacements

It was reported on ESPN.com on November 1 that Kelly Pavlik would be pulling out of his scheduled fight with Brian Vera on the November 13 under card of the Antonio Margarito - Manny Pacquiao mega fight due to a rib injury.

Since then, Top Rank has placed Lightweight Brandon Rios in the co-main event slot as the replacement.

While Rios is a very impressive prospect with an great record, 25-0 with 18 knockouts, he isn't the best option for this fight on this card.

Here are ten fighters that would have been a better replacement for the injured Pavlik

Victor Ortiz

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LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Victor Ortiz knocks down Vivian Harris during the second round in a Welterweight fight at Staples Center on September 18, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Ortiz would win the fight in a third round knockout. (Photo by Har

Victor Ortiz presents an exciting fighting style coming off a 2nd round knockout of Vivian Harris.

Ortiz would be a tremendous replacement and someone who could get the 50,000+ person crowd on their feet.

Yuri Foreman

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LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 14: (L-R) Yuri Foreman throws a punch as Daniel Santos falls to the mat during their WBA super welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 14, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Referee Jay Nady ruled Santos went down

Foreman showed a lot of heart in his loss to Miguel Cotto and earned the respect of everyone who saw his fight and determination.

While he doesn't have the attack style that many others on this list do, he has the heart and willpower that can create an interesting fight.

Dmitry Pirog

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LAS VEGAS - JULY 31: Dmitry Pirog celebrates his knockout victory over Daniel Jacobs to win the vacant WBO middleweight title at the Mandalay Bay Events Center July 31, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Pirog is coming off a stunning knockout win over Daniel Jacobs to claim the WBC Light Middleweight title.

He has power to end the fight—14 of his 17 fights have ended in knockouts.

Not only would this be an entertaining fight to watch, but it would also get the relatively unknown champion out into the public eye on a grand stage thus leading to bigger fights in the future.

Saul Alvarez

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LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Saul Alvarez of Mexico reacts to his knockout of Carlos Baldomir of Argentina during the sixth round in the WBC Super Welterweight Silver Title fight at Staples Center on September 18, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Ph

The 20-year-old Mexican fighter would be a great addition to this card.

Not only would he attract more people in the large Hispanic fan base, but he also has great flair to entertain the crowd at Cowboys Stadium.

If he were to win, it could set up a future bout between he and the winner of the Pacquiao - Margarito fight.

Alfredo Angulo

Angulo is a good fighter who was being proposed as a possible opponent to challenge Sergio Martinez.

He comes into the ring with an 80 percent knockout rate, so any fight he's in is sure to be entertaining.

Humberto Soto

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ARLINGTON, TX - MARCH 13: (L-R) Humberto Soto of Mexico connects with a left to David Diaz in round seven during the WBC lightweight title fight at Cowboys Stadium on March 13, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Soto defeated Diaz by decision. (Photo by Jed Jacob

Soto is the current WBC Lightweight champion.

He is better known than Rios and likely to draw in some of the Hispanic fans that Margarito couldn't.

Nonito Donaire

While many people believe that the lighter weights aren't as interesting, Donaire is the perfect fighter to change their minds.

Four of his last five fights have ended in stoppages and three of those four were within six rounds.

Not to mention, his presence will only add to the Filipino fan base that will already be interested in this fight.

Fernando Montiel

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TOKYO - APRIL 30: Fernando Montiel of Mexico hits his left on Hozumi Hasegawa of Japan during the WBC Bantamweight Title Fight between Hozumi Hasegawa and Fernando Montiel at Nippon Budokan on April 30, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/G

Fernando Montiel is a great fighter to watch for entertainment value.

Four of his last five fights have ended in stoppage within the first four rounds.

It would be a enthralling fight to watch, worth every penny of the pay-per-view. It would be great if they placed him against Donaire to continue the theme of Mexico vs The Philippines. The event could create a whole different level of promotional value to the card.

Andre Berto

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CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Andre Berto (R) delivers a punch to Steve Forbes in the 10th round during their WBC welterweight title bout at the Home Depot Center on September 27, 2008 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Berto is a tremendous boxer with incredible skill who can also provide any crowd the kind of fight that they paid for.

Not only would this matchup be a great fight for the fans, but it could also provide a possible opponent for the winner between Pacquiao and Margarito if either were to choose to go back down to Welterweight.

Yuriorkis Gamboa

Yuriorkis Gamboa won an Olympic gold medal for the Cuban team in 2004.

He is a world champion who fights with a crowd-pleasing style.

If he were to be put against a quality opponent, it would not only be a great and entertaining fight, but it would also be one step closer to setting up another super fight between Gamboa and Puerto Rican star Juan Manuel Lopez.