Coming off consecutive losses and the longest layover of his career, Manny Pacquiao is looking to challenge rising speculation that his abilities -- and career -- are on the downswing when he faces off against Brandon Rios on Saturday in Macau, China.
Pacquiao vs. Rios fight preview: Pacman looking to prove he’s not over the hill
Consecutive losses suggest Pacquiao isn’t the dominant fighter he once was, but he’ll have the opportunity to prove otherwise Saturday against the dangerous Rios.
Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KO) lost a controversial decision to Timothy Bradley in June 2012 and suffered a brutal knockout against Juan Manuel Marquez in his last outing. It would appear the aging fighter has lost some of his famous speed and quickness, though he’ll have ample opportunity to prove otherwise against the slower (but more powerful), Rios (31-1-1, 23 KO). Rios is a hard-charging volume puncher that is known for his ability to wear an opponent down, so expect Pacquiao to take advantage of the straight-ahead attack by using angles and combination punching.
Pacquiao comes in as a 4-to-1 favorite, which is a sizable spread until you consider that he has been as much as an 11-to-1 favorite against previous opponents.
See More:
