Rios Stops Alvarado During 7th In Thriller
That Lives Up To Hype; Was It Stopped Early?

By Bret "The Threat" Newton
Photo: Chris Farina - Top Rank
 

Brandon Rios (now 31-0-1, 22 KO's) won his first fight up in weight at Junior Welterweight in an absolute war against previously unbeaten Mike Alvarado. The hype surrounding the fight that it would be one to remember and that it was. Both men were locked at the horns in the center of the ring after the first bell sounded up until the bittersweet end. Alvarado's size appeared to pose a factor throughout, but Rios had a chin of steel, barely flinching when hit with solid punches. Both men traded punches ranging over 100 thrown by both in every round.

The fight was pretty even for the first 4 rounds, but in round 5 the real drama began to unfold. Alvarado stunned Rios for the first time who smiled in appreciation of being hurt. Alvarado looked to begin wearing Rios down. In round 6, Rios countered Alvarado who staggered to the ropes, but would not stop throwing. Then in round 7, Rios looked to maintain that forward momentum and kept the pressure on Alvarado, landing a flush left hook and multiple right hands that buckled the legs of Alvarado. Rios jumped on Alvarado who staggered to the ropes sideways and looked ready to fall. But Alvarado refused to go down, attempting to grab as he took another painful flush right hand that prompted the referee to jump in and call it off at 1:57. "If only he took a knee" could be heard through the thoughts of many fans. Was the fight stopped prematurely, or did referee Pat Russell make the right call?

Alvarado falls to 33-1 with 23 KO's in a fight that truly had no losers.