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Brandon Rios will end short-lived retirement, return next year at 147 or 154
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By: Mike Coppinger | November 21, 2015 12:31 am
Brandon Rios during his WBO welterweight title bout with Timothy Bradley on Nov. 7. (AP)
LAS VEGAS — Brandon Rios’ retirement has been short-lived.
The all-action fighter will return next year after announcing he would end his career following a ninth-round knockout to Tim Bradley earlier this month, the fighter’s manager, Cameron Dunkin, told USA TODAY Sports.
“He told me ‘I can’t go out like that,'” recounted Dunkin, who was informed Rios would return Tuesday. “‘It was humiliating. I’m sorry to the fans and everyone who believed in me.'”
Rios missed weight on the first attempt for his WBO title fight against Bradley, but made weight on the second try. However, he was completely weight-drained and lethargic on fight night. He lost every round and was stopped on body shots.
LOOKING BACK: Bradley dominates Rios
RIOS ON RETIREMENT: I don’t want to ‘take a beating for no reason’
“When he’s right, and his head’s right and he’s in shape, he’s a world-class fighter,” Dunkin said. “He can beat any ’47 pounder in the world.”
Dunkin said Rios could campaign at either 147 or 154. The 29-year-old waged war twice with Mike Alvarado, splitting the bouts, then dominated his foe in January. Rios said the inactivity hampered his training, though, and he was no match for Bradley.
If he fights at 147, bouts with Jessie Vargas and Ruslan Provodnikov would be attractive.
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By: Mike Coppinger | November 21, 2015 12:31 am
Brandon Rios during his WBO welterweight title bout with Timothy Bradley on Nov. 7. (AP)
LAS VEGAS — Brandon Rios’ retirement has been short-lived.
The all-action fighter will return next year after announcing he would end his career following a ninth-round knockout to Tim Bradley earlier this month, the fighter’s manager, Cameron Dunkin, told USA TODAY Sports.
“He told me ‘I can’t go out like that,'” recounted Dunkin, who was informed Rios would return Tuesday. “‘It was humiliating. I’m sorry to the fans and everyone who believed in me.'”
Rios missed weight on the first attempt for his WBO title fight against Bradley, but made weight on the second try. However, he was completely weight-drained and lethargic on fight night. He lost every round and was stopped on body shots.
LOOKING BACK: Bradley dominates Rios
RIOS ON RETIREMENT: I don’t want to ‘take a beating for no reason’
“When he’s right, and his head’s right and he’s in shape, he’s a world-class fighter,” Dunkin said. “He can beat any ’47 pounder in the world.”
Dunkin said Rios could campaign at either 147 or 154. The 29-year-old waged war twice with Mike Alvarado, splitting the bouts, then dominated his foe in January. Rios said the inactivity hampered his training, though, and he was no match for Bradley.
If he fights at 147, bouts with Jessie Vargas and Ruslan Provodnikov would be attractive.
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