MMA

Between the ropes: Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios

May 11, 2013, 7:10 PM

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It’s just been announced that you’re going to face Manny Pacquiao in China. What are your thoughts on this fight?

It’s going to be a great fight. A hell of a fight! I get to see another country. I’m very happy, very excited. It’s going to be a toe-to-toe battle, an all out war.

What are your thoughts on Pacquiao’s last fight and his knock-out?

He just fought a great counter puncher. Marquez is one of the best counters in the business and he just did a great job with Manny. He is still a vet, can’t take anything away. He knows what to do to get ready. It’s not his first rodeo. I need to be 100% ready to fight Pacquiao.

Are you looking forward to being the focus of HBO’s 24/7 series?

It’s pretty cool. It’s going to be awesome. Honestly when it comes to my family, I’m very private. I like to lay low, spend time with my wife and kids. In public, what you see is what you get. That’s what you’re going to see with Brandon all the time. I’m always real about everything I do. I’m the realist. When it comes to home, I’m pretty private. I try to keep my family outside the canvas as much as possible.

I’m more looking forward to the fight. Don’t get me wrong. It’s going to be badass, but I’ve been waiting patiently on sidelines to get a big fight. It came, now I’m ready, and I’m very excited.

Your fight is in China. How much time will your camp spend there? How will the fight being in China and in the morning affect your training?

I think we might go out there in a month in advance, to get used to the climate, altitude, the fact that it’s a morning fight. We got to be ready. I’m very excited to fight there. Everybody wants to go to China. It’s the new boxing city. The new Vegas. It’s awesome. I’ve been waiting long and patiently for my time. Thanks to Pacquiao and his team for selecting me and giving me the opportunity to fight. I’m very ready.

Do you think you’ll have the crowd?

I do have fans from China. I do have fans from the UK. Hopefully they come out and support me. If not, I’m ready. I don’t care where I fight. I can fight in the backyard, no TV. As long as I have an opponent, I’m ready.

How did you cope with taking your first loss against Mike Alvarado?

I did get down on myself a little. I was mad at myself. I couldn’t believe I lost. In my eyes, I feel I didn’t lose. I scored it 7-5. I have watched it over and over. At the end of the day I gotta give Alvarado credit. He stuck to his game plan like he said.

Brandon, you’re known for your ‘granite chin,’ and your ability to take a lot of punches. Do you worry about the risk of long-term injury? How long do you plan on staying in the game?

Honestly people always criticize me, saying I get hit a lot. That I’m a one-dimensional fighter with no head movement. They don’t realize if that was the case, I would have come out of the ring more [expletive] up than I did. More bloody, two swollen eyes. I wouldn’t have been able to take this fight with Pacquiao. That’s not the case, I do have a great defense, and I do avoid shots. Everybody gets hit. It’s boxing. You can’t not get hit. Mayweather gets hit once in a while. I don’t pay attention to that. I plan to stop boxing around the age of 30-31 and spend the rest of the time with my family. Invest my money right, and maybe help out in the gym.

Thank you for your time Brandon and good luck in your fight.

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Between the ropes: Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios