Trainer Robert Garcia has stated that he feels Brandon Rios will be returning to the ring and confirmed that the former WBA lightweight champion has already started sparring.
After his loss to Timothy Bradley in November, Rios confirmed in the post fight press conference that he would be retiring from the sport. Under a month afer the fight and Garcia claims that Rios will be coming back to the ring soon.
“Brandon’s coming back, he not retiring,” said Garcia to FightHype. “Brandon’s already sparring, he started sparring already.”
“We have four Russians that got to fight, four fighting December 12th and they’re all welterweights, 154-pounders, so Brandon’s at the gym sparring them already.”
“It’s better for him to stay in the gym than sitting at home and gaining all that weight. It’s good that it is right away. He took like eight months off without doing anything [last time]. At least this time he’s back at the gym right away.” Garcia said.
In a 37 fight career, Rios has been in many wars including three fights with Mike Alvarado with two of them being barnburners. He has also faced the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Diego Chaves and Richar Abril throughout his career.
It will be intriguing to see what weight division Rios comes back to as he has struggled with the weights in his career. The 29-year-old failed to make weight for his fight with John Murray in 2011, with the fight being at 135 pounds. Rios was also overweight in his next fight against Richar Abril, which was once again at lightweight.
Rios then moved up to super lightweight when facing Mike Alvarado for the first time in 2012.
His last fight against Bradley was at 147 pounds and Rios came in overweight at 147.2. Less than an hour later Rios made the weight although looked severely drained on the day.
While only 29, Rios still has time on his side although will need to decide thoroughly what weight division he can indent as he pushes towards the final chapter of his career – should he return that is.
– Oun Abbas Hussain / @ouney86
– Managing Editor for Behind the Gloves.
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