Background and career
Brandon Lee Ríos (born April 29, 1986) is an American former professional boxer. He held the WBA Regular lightweight title in 2011 and has challenged once for the WBO welterweight title in 2015. Nicknamed "Bam Bam", Ríos was known for his aggressive pressure fighting style, formidable punching power, and exceptionally durable chin during his prime.
Ríos compiled a stellar amateur record of 230–35. In 2004 he became the U.S. National Amateur Featherweight champion, and was also a United States Olympic alternate at 125 lbs. "When I met Roberto in the Olympic trials in Mississippi, that's when Roberto came and worked my corner, which it was a bad mistake," Rios said as García laughed. "I should have never done that because my dad was my amateur coach through my whole career. You get used to one person and then you come with another guy and he doesn't really know you? To me, it kind of messed me up. But then again, I'm glad we met because we exchanged information and he brought me down here."
He is signed to Bob Arum's company Top Rank. On October 17, 2009, Ríos got a TKO victory in the 7th round over Manuel Pérez. He next fought in a WBA title eliminator against the undefeated contender Anthony Peterson, on a HBO Boxing After Dark card. Rios dropped Peterson to the canvas with a left hand at the end of the fifth round. In the sixth round, a desperate Peterson landed several low blows on Ríos, losing two points in the process. In the seventh round, Peterson landed low blows once again, prompting the referee to stop the bout and award Ríos a disqualification victory. Brandon was leading on all three scorecards before the stoppage. His next fight was the first HBO PPV fight on the undercard of Margarito vs. Pacquiao. Bob Arum stated that if Rios beat Omri Lowther at Cowboys Stadium, Brandon would get a shot to fight against WBC Lightweight Champion Humberto Soto next. Rios won by TKO in the fifth round.
On February 26, 2011, Rios defeated WBA World Lightweight Champion, Venezuelan Miguel Acosta via a 10th-round TKO, becoming the new WBA regular Lightweight champion.
Brandon's first title defense saw him face Urbano Antillón, in a bout that was previously expected to take place once before in May 2010. Rios won the fight by TKO in the third round.
Rios faced Mike Alvarado at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California on October 13, 2012. Rios was behind on the scorecards until the 6th round where in he hurt Alvarado with a crushing right. Rios was able to stop Alvarado in the 7th as referee Pat Russell stopped the bout at 1:57 of the round. The fight was voted the 2012 Fight of the Year by the Sports Illustrated. A much anticipated rematch was held on March 30, 2013, at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada. Like the first fight, both came in with a lot of fireworks as they continued to go toe to toe, until Alvarado changed strategy and became a lot more evasive and hard to hit with fancy footwork. Alvarado defeated Rios by unanimous decision with scores of 115–113, 115–113 and 114–113. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum dismissed another rematch and suggested to let the two boxers face other fighters first.
