Brandon Rios Ready to Return to Action
By Anthony “Stacks” Saldaña
November, 7th 2015 was the last time fight fans watched the always entertaining “Bam Bam” Brandon Rios enter the ring. It was a grueling fight at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas against Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley. A fight where Rios was not only defeated but knocked out for the first time in his career. It was a tough loss for Rios and during the post fight press conference Rios took to the podium and announced his retirement. Rios who had been in wars with, Manny Pacquiao, Diego Chaves and fought a trilogy with “Mile High” Mike Alvarado, decided it was time to hang up the gloves. Rios stepped away from the “Sweet Science” but it wasn’t for long, his contract had expired with Top Rank, an Rios let it be known he eager to get back into the ring. During a recent interview at the Boxing Expo, Rios said he felt rejuvenated and stated “my last fight wasn’t my best performance, I wasn’t in the best shape and it was my fault. As a professional I should have been in the gym training and I wasn’t.” Since his last fight Rios has left his long time manager Cameron Dunkin, and trainer Robert Garcia. Rios has teamed up with trainer Ricky Funez and has been preparing for his next fight at the Ten Goose boxing club in Van Nuys.“My last fight showed me I needed to take things seriously and do things correctly this time, I’ve been in the gym non-stop and training, my weight is perfect and I feel great.”
Rios, (33-3-1, 24 KO’s) 31, now looks to make a push for another title shot as he takes on Aaron Herrera (32-6-1, 21 KO’s), 28, of Mexico in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions card this Sunday June 11th at the Pioneer Event Center in Lancaster, California. “This is my first fight in Southern California in almost five years and I can’t wait to put on a show for those fans who have supported me throughout my career,” Rios said. “I’ve always given the fans a great show and I’m planning on picking up right where I left off and being better than ever when I get back in the ring. I’ve been training for a while in preparation for a great victory.”
Fighting out of Yucatan, Mexico, Herrera enters this fight on a three-bout knockout streak since October 2016. The 28 year old was unbeaten in his first 24 pro fights including 16 knockouts before challenging for a regional title in 2013. He fights in the U.S. for the fourth time when he takes on Rios. “This is a terrific opportunity for me to face a fighter the caliber of Brandon Rios,” said Herrera. “He’s had a great career and fought many champions and I look forward to giving him everything I have. Fighting Rios is a great test for me and I’ll be ready to pass.”
Televised coverage begins at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT after the Mexico vs. USA World Cup qualifier on FS1 and FOX Deportes and will feature unbeaten Mario Barrios (18-0, 10 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight contest against Mexico’s Jose Luis Rodriguez (23-8-1, 13 KOs) and undefeated prospect Jose Miguel Borrego (11-0, 10 KOs) squaring-off against once-beaten Kevin Watts (11-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round super lightweight bout.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are priced at $30 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets visit the Pioneer Event Center’s website: www.uavpec.com
