MANILA, Philippines - Tiniyak ni Brandon ‘Bam Bam’ Rios na ang kanilang laban ni Filipino world eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao ang magiging ‘Fight of the Year’ ng 2013.
Ito ang pahayag kahapon ni Rios sa panayam ng Bad Left Hook ukol sa kanilang interim welterweight fight ni Pacquiao sa Nobyembre 24 sa The Venetian sa Macau, China.
“Come November 23 I can guarantee that Manny Pacquiao and myself will give the fans the fight of the year,†wika ng 27-anyos na si Rios.
“Why? Because Manny Pacquiao has established that he is an elite fighter, I think I have proven throughout my professional career, and especially the last two fights against Mike Alvarado, that I am an exciting fighter,†dagdag pa nito.
Sa kanilang walang tigil na bugbugan ni Alvarado noong Oktubre ng nakaraang taon ay muntik nang mahirang ang nasabing sagupaan bilang 2012 Fight of the Year kung saan nanalo si Rios via technical knockout sa seventh round.
Ito ay tinalo ng pang-apat na banggaan nina Pacquiao at Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez na nagpatumba kay ‘Pacman’ sa sixth round noong Disyembre 8, 2012.
Muling nagharap sa rematch sina Rios at Alvarado noong Marso 2013 na pinagwagian ni Alvarado sa pamamagitan ng unanimous decision.
“That was two warriors going at it. Mike and I gave the fans a great fight,†wika ni Rios sa kanilang unang laban ni Alvarado. “That’s how I like to fight, that is my style of fighting. Same thing with Rios vs. Alvarado II.â€