Brandon Rios DESTROYS Mike Alvarado in Trilogy

By Doctor Ibrahim Hussain
Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank

Question marks were surrounding Mike Alvarado, 34-3, 23 KO’s before he stepped into the ring last night against Brandon Rios, 33-2-1, 23 KO’s which resulted in him retiring on his stool after the third round in a one-sided beating by a more technically advanced reincarnation of “Bam Bam”

On January 3rd 2015 Mike Alvarado was pulled over in a car with which he was sharing with his friends, which had alcohol and firearms in it. This was a low point for Alvarado, from Denver, Colorado, who shortly after checked himself into Rehab. Not only would this cause unsettlement to his fight preparation, despite him being granted a $41,500 bail to continue with this mouth-watering prospect of a bout, but also showed that he could not possibly have been in a good place in life. This was clearly evident in the opening round of the fight.

The first 2 fights were brutal, and so was the third. However, it was as though Alvarado was just not up to the prospect of a 12 round soul-search to match the best performance of Brandon Rios career.

Brandon Rios on the other hand came in very sharp, and it was obvious that he and his world renowned trainer, Roberto Garcia, had been doing a lot of work in the build up to this fight which has made him into a different fighter to the one that was outclassed and beaten like a rag-doll by Manny Pacquiao.

Brandon Rios showed ring generalship by using a sharp jab at range and very clever footwork to allow him to step in close, and often to Alvarado’s left, out of straight line range and throw right angular uppercuts which had devastating effect from the first round, and repeatedly all the way through to the end of the third round.

Alvarado’s face was peppered and he was stunned in the first round and never really recovered (he later complained of his vision being affected), with sloppy movement followed up with a low-blow to Rios in the second round, which momentarily affected the Mexican/Californian fighter’s momentum. But in the third round it was Alvarado who was put on the floor, with his face a mess by this point.

One of Brandon Rios useful traits is the fact he can take a punch, which is helped by his large head and Newton’s law of physics involving mass and momentum, which in his case reduces the effect of Contrecoup injury effects on the brain immediately following heavy shots. But Rios looked fresh, sharp and composed. He did not have to call on the supernatural powers that have allowed him to take sustained punishment through many of his recent matchups over the last couple of years.

Who will Brandon Rios fight next?

For sure he would give a better show with Manny Pacquiao than their last meeting, but the fight fans don’t really want to see another match after the last one-sided meeting they had. A fight with Maidana would be one of the most ferocious pair-ups in recent years, but since Mayweather is wanting a slot on the Mexican May public holiday (Cinqo de Mayo, the first weekend in May), then maybe it could be an opportunity for Mayweather to fight a seemingly tough opponent which is actually tailor made for his style, while allowing Mayweather to protect his unbeaten record and give the Mexican fight fans home representation at the MGM showdown in 4 months time?

In a post fight interview, HBO’s Crystina Poncher was faced with an erratic and deluded Mike Alvarado, who is clearly in denial. I personally am concerned about him. I hope he has company who will help him with his demons and hopefully Alvarado can use his purse for this fight to allow him to take time out and find peace. But maybe it will be used for opposite affect (and it may be his last big payday). Rios however is assured of more big paydays.