By Ted Sares:
This guy is never in a dull fight.
Anonymous
The excitement was palpable as both fighters entered the ring at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Chants of “Antillon, Antillon, Antillon” were louder than “Rios, Rios, Rios,” but that would be the extent of any domination by the Mexican native.. The opposing bands also faced off, but Bam Bam’s was larger and clearly better. Adding to the overall atmosphere, Antonio Margarito walked in with Rios and was cheering him on throughout. Before the introductions, a serious looking Bam Bam, wearing leopard skin trunks, paced back and forth like a caged cat.
The fans expected a toe-to-toe battle and that’s what they got—an unmitigated one similar to what Gatti-Ward had to offer, but this one didn’t last very long. After two rounds of back and forth, head snapping action that included an obvious disregard for defense but great offense including some subtle stuff as well as hooks, straights and especially brutal uppercuts, it was clear the fight would not go the distance. It was also clear Rios was becoming owner of the phone booth. The first round was particularly compelling, though Rios won it and then he asserted himself in round two.
Going into the third, Rios was simply younger and stronger and his punches were more punishing to which as Urbano’s battered and bloody face attested.
In the third, Bam Bam finally wore down Urbano, rocked him, and then floored him with a right to the side. After more back and forth, Rios floored Urbano again with a vicious right. With seconds remaining, it appeared Urbano would survive the round but when he staggered backwards still suffering the effects of the second knockdown, the referee wisely halted the action as Rios moved in for the kill.
Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios (28-0-1) had stopped Urbano Antillon (28-3) in a fight that featured fan friendly non-stop action that just might help us forget last Saturday night. It also propels Rios as one of the most exciting and, therefore, compelling fighters in boxing today.
In other action on the card:
Matt Korobov UD 8 Lester Gonzalez
Paul Fleming KO 1 Juan Jose Beltran
Gabino Saenz KO 3 Quincy Wesby
Carlos Molina UD 10 Kermit Cintron
Mercito Gesta KO 3 Jorge Pimentel
Jose Roman KO 1 Randy Arrellin
Mike Lee KO 3 Michael Birthmark