Brandon Rios announces retirement after tough loss to Bradley
We have seen Brandon Rios in his ups and downs. Tonight's bout against Bradley was the last we'll see of him in the ring as he announced his retirement after the fight. He came in ridiculously heavy at 170 pounds. That's a whopping 23 pounds over night. That's usually a bad sign considering he failed to make weight by .2 pounds in his first attempt on the scale. The fight started off well with Rios trying to impose his size advantage early on, but Bradley used sound footwork to stay away and rip into Brandon's body from the opening bell. As the rounds continued to pass, Rios only got more sluggish and landed fewer shots. The writing was on the wall and it was only a matter of time. In the ninth round, Bradley landed several torturous shots to the body that sent Rios to the canvas. Brandon mustered the courage to beat the count and continued fighting, but Bradley came right back like a bat out of hell and continued the assault sending Rios down again. This time around, Tony Weeks had seen enough and waved the contest to a halt.
After the fight, Boxing commentator Max Kellerman interviewed Brandon and asked why he looked the way he did for this fight.
"My body is not the same no more. I've been in a lot of wars and you know what? I think it's time to hang it up. I had a great performance with Timothy Bradley. My career, I'm done. I think that's it. You know, it was a great run. It is what it is"
Rios continued to explain to Max Kellerman
"I'd like to thank the fans for coming out and supporting this, even though I didn't give a great show, but fuck it. It is what it is. I don't want to hurt my body, I don't want to hurt my family, and I don't want to hurt my close friends around me, so, you know, I think it's time for me to hang up the gloves,"
It's been a great run, that's for sure. Rios has kept the entertaining fights rolling in throughout the years and he will be missed. Who can forget the great trilogy against Alvarado?! I'd like to thank you, Mr. Rios, for dedicating your life to this sport with memorable fights that will last through the ages.