Brandon Rios: “Pacquiao’s one of the best in the world at southpawing. I’m very happy that I lost to him.”

Brandon ‘Bam Bam’ Rios is a fighter who has made a name for himself over the years by being one of the toughest fighters in the game. The 28 year old from Oxnard, California has beaten the odds on several occasions, having worked his way up to capture a world title at lightweight, and even going 12 rounds with pound for pound star, Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao. Brandon is now looking to bounce back from his November bout with Pacquiao by facing the tough Diego Chaves this Saturday night.

In part 2 of my interview with Brandon Rios, he speaks about his fight with Manny Pacquiao and what he feels went wrong in that bout. Rios also comments on Pacquiao’s power and skills, having experienced them first hand. ‘Bam Bam’ also talks about the upcoming Pacquiao-Algieri match and who he is picking to win. Lastly, Brandon Rios gives his views on his stable mate, Marcos Maidana, and the rematch he will have with Floyd Mayweather Jr. Here is what Brandon Rios had to say.

Jenna J: Your first fight at 147lbs was against Manny Pacquiao. What happened in that fight for you? You seemed to have trouble getting started in it.

Brandon Rios: Yeah, I think what happened is, I just froze. I think I froze a little bit because it was my first big mega fight, and I’m fighting Manny Pacquiao. Physically I was ready and everything. Mentally, I probably wasn’t as ready as I should have been because like I said — that was my first mega fight and I’m fighting somebody like Manny Pacquiao. It did kind of get to me a little bit.

You could see it in the first round, I wasn’t doing what I usually do. I froze, I wasn’t throwing my punches. It felt like every time I threw that he was gonna catch me. Not only that, but he’s a unique southpaw. He’s one of the best in the world at southpawing. I’m very happy that I lost to him. It did suck in a way but I’m glad I lost to somebody like Pacquiao.

Jenna J: What did you see from Pacquiao? A lot of people say that he’s lost a little bit of his power. You were in there with him, how strong of a hitter is he?

Brandon Rios: He does have a little pop but honestly, I didn’t really feel it. I think what got me the most was just the name itself, just the name and the speed. That’s what really got me. His power and everything, I didn’t really feel it as much.

I’ve been in there with smaller guys like Mikey Garcia, and I feel that he hits harder than Manny Pacquiao. I think Mikey Garcia is the only one that really got me good and really dazed me from a shot.

Jenna J: Being that you see Marcos Maidana from time to time, do you ever get into the ring and spar with him? What are those experiences like?

Brandon Rios: Me and Maidana sparred a long time ago, when he first came to our gym we sparred. When he fought Soto-Karass we did sparring. Oh my god man, I think that sparring was the best sparring ever. Some people were saying that it was better than some of the fights out there, and it was just sparring.

We did ten rounds and it was just going at it. It was unbelievable sparring, it was great. Not only that, but to spar somebody like Marcos Maidana with tremendous heart and a warrior like him, he comes to fight and it was great sparring, it was a great learning lesson because I know there’s somebody out there like me, that’s why. It was tremendous, it was awesome.

Jenna J: Maidana has a rematch with Floyd Mayweather. The first fight was the hardest fight Floyd has had in years, what do you think is gonna happen the second time around?

Brandon Rios: I thought Maidana won, or I could have given it a draw. We’re gonna see how it plays out this time. I know Marcos Maidana comes to fight and he trains hard. He comes out and his mind is just to train and fight. That’s what he comes out here to the States for.

He’s a humble guy, he lives in Argentina, in a ranch. He stays away from everybody. He doesn’t know too much about boxers and everything, like I said, he just comes and he just trains and goes back home.

I think he’s gonna be ready for this fight, since he knows that what he did the first time, him and Robert are gonna have a great gameplan. I’m very pleased for that, I’m very pleased for him and Robert for getting another opportunity for a big shot.

Jenna J: If Maidana somehow pulls the upset off in the rematch, how big do you think that will be for the atmosphere of the Robert Garcia gym?

Brandon Rios: It will be big for the atmosphere. It will be big for the fans and everything because a lot of fans thought Maidana did win. For Robert, it’s always a blessing for him. The gym would probably get more recognized — which it already is, but it’s okay, Robert is happy with the fighters that he has right now.

He’s not hurting or anything, but he’s very happy with the fighters that he has right now. I cannot say too much for Robert, that’s Robert himself, he has to talk about it. I know he’s very happy and blessed that his gym is doing pretty good right now.

Jenna J: I want to get your thoughts on Manny Pacquiao facing Chris Algieri. Some people are saying that Algieri is not a worthy contender. What do you think of that fight?

Brandon Rios: Algieri does have tremendous skills, people don’t give him credit. Yes, we know that he doesn’t hit hard, we know that he doesn’t have that power punch, that knockout punch. But he can box, that guy can box his ass off. He can move and he has defensive skills and offensive skills.

I like underdogs, so I’m going for Algieri for this fight. We know it’s not gonna be a knockout but I think he’s just gonna box him, stay on the outside and use his reach.

Jenna J: Any message to your fans?

Brandon Rios: I want to say thanks to all the supporters, everyone that does follow me and support me in and outside the ring. Thank you guys, I always fight my heart out for you guys. It’s always a blessing to fight for you guys. The haters, keep hating, it’s alright man, I love it, you guys make me stronger.