Brandon Rios is looking increasingly likely to be Kell Brook’s next defence of his IBF 147lb title – on August 29th, possibly in Sheffield – and he has spoken out to fighthype.com to insist he sees nothing about the Brit that worries him, insisting the Wincobank fighter isn’t impressive and that he also has no concerns about coming to box in Brook’s backyard.
After his trainer Robert Garcia recently questioned the neutrality of British officials, it would appear Rios is relaxed about the idea and expressed no issues. Asked if the journey across the pond bothers him, he said;
“I’m not worried at all. At the end of the day it’s just me and him and our fists are gonna be doing the talking, you know? It (travelling) doesn’t make a difference. I’d love to go there and fight him and we’re working on it.”
Quizzed on whether he’s had a chance to get a look at the Brit in action, Rios was nonchalant, saying;
“I’ve only seen the fights with him and Frankie Gavin and (against) Jo Jo Dan – and he didn’t look very impressive. He’s not impressive to me.”
And it would appear that Brook and promoter Eddie Hearn publicly mentioning Rios’ name has got him fired up – insisting it was their previous comments that has led to him wanting this fight so badly.
“He called my name out a couple times. Him and his promoter, manager – whatever he is – Eddie Hearn – and they been wanting to fight me and I love challenges so…?”
“They say he’ll out box me and all that but I want to give the fans out there in the UK some action.”
One of the only contentious issues aside from money is that thanks to British board rules, Rios will be unable to wear his preferred Everlast MX gloves – the same gloves vetoed by Floyd Mayweather when he fought Marcos Maidana.
He said;
“The gloves don’t make a fighter. The fighter makes the fighter. They don’t want me to use those gloves for some reason – I don’t know why – it’s stupid. They trying to pull like, a Mayweather. We just gotta find a different pair of gloves – I’m not wearing Grants though if that’s what they try choose – I’m an Everlast guy and I wear nothing but Everlast.”
“I’m looking forward to going to the UK and showing their fans what I do have. All the purchases I do when I order shorts and everything come from the UK so I’m gonna enjoy taking Kell Brook on (there).”
“He doesn’t have anything too impressive. He doesn’t look like ‘Oh my God’ you know, so I’d love to fight him.”
And Rios obviously believes he can win. A warrior through and through he may be – but I simply cannot see any which way he gets his hand raised.
Maybe he’ll surprise me?
Twitter @Undilutedpoison
