Bob Arum Casts Doubt On Brook v Rios / Eddie Hearn Believes It A Go

06/26/2015 Olly Campbell

It has been assumed now for some time that Brandon Rios will be traveling to the UK in September to challenge IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook on the same date Floyd Mayweather fights his 49th and ‘final’ fight – the 12th.

However in a chat with assembled media at the Bradley/Vargas presser, Arum has now spoken out to insinuate the fight perhaps isn’t as near to done as we think.

Earlier this week Rios’ trainer Robert Garcia told fighthype that as far as both he and Brandon were concerned, Rios’ manager Cameron Dunkin had done a solid job negotiating terms and that both fighter and trainer were happy with what was on the table.

Kell Brook v Brandon Rios Almost Set For Sep 12th / The Next UK PPV

06/17/201506/17/2015 Olly Campbell

One of the worst kept secrets in boxing over recent weeks has been that Britain’s IBF 147 lb champion Kell Brook is set to defend his belt against American brawler Brandon Rios sometime later this summer – most probably on the 29th August in Brook’s home city of Sheffield or on September 12th at London’s O2 Arena.

While Brook himself has been noticeably quiet over the rumors, Rios and trainer Robert Garcia have been quite the opposite, with both vocalizing their discontent regarding negotiations for the contest, citing money and Rios being unable to use his preferred Everlast MX gloves as potential sticking points.

Robert Garcia : Unhappy With Brook v Rios – ‘They Think They’re Mayweather’

06/09/2015 Olly Campbell

If trainer Robert Garcia is to be believed, then the proposed Kell Brook v Brandon Rios dust-up could have hit the skids already. The proposed fight for the Brit’s IBF 147 lb title is ostensibly on course for August 29th in Sheffield – and all the noises from Rios himself and both Matchroom Sport and Top Rank have been positive thus far as negotiating the fight goes.

So it’s probably a good job that Brandon’s trainer Robert Garcia isn’t in charge of making it happen, as following his disappointing trip to England 10 days ago, in which his fighter Evgeny Gradovich dropped his IBF 126 lb strap to Lee Selby , the Oxnard based trainer has spoken to fighthubtv to accuse Brook’s handlers – Eddie Hearn & Matchroom Sport – of diva-ish behavior saying that from his experience of dealing with them things weren’t positive.

Kell Brook Doesn’t Look Impressive Says Brandon Rios

06/09/2015 Olly Campbell

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;

Brandon Rios : Kell Brook Fight In The Works / Slates Top Rank

06/08/2015 Olly Campbell

It’s now been almost 6 months since we last saw former WBA 135lb champion Brandon Rios in a ring – forcing a 3rd round retirement from Mike Alvarado in a disappointing end to their all-action trilogy – a fight it’s fair to say Alvarado simply didn’t turn up to on the night.

Since then, Rios has been linked to a couple of other noted ‘names’ – including Ruslan Provodnikov, Lucas Matthysse and, most realistically, IBF 147 boss, Britain’s Kell Brook.

Speaking to fighthype.com to discuss the rumours on social media, Rios attempted to clarify his position by appearing to insist it is indeed the UK fighter who is in the frame to be his next opponent.

Robert Garcia Concerned By Coming To The UK – Brook v Rios

06/04/2015 Olly Campbell

He was in London at the weekend to corner his fighter Evgeny Gradovich in his (unsuccessful) defence of the IBF 126lb strap against Lee Selby – and following that TD loss, Robert Garcia has spoken to fighthype.com to voice any concerns he has about making Brook/Rios in the UK, hinting that contractually there are already a number of things he doesn’t like – even going so far as to question the neutrality of British officials – and even the ringside doctor!

Never shy, Garcia said;

“Brandon wants the fight, we want the fight too but there’s already a few little things that I’m not liking. First of all they told us we wouldn’t be able to wear the (Everlast) MX gloves. They said the commission in London or England, whatever (BBBofC) – that they’ve pretty much banned those gloves. I think that’s just ’cause of us, ’cause they know what we wear and they’re worried.”

Brook v Rios Possible For August 29th?

06/03/201506/01/2015 Olly Campbell

Following his sizzling demolition of Frankie Gavin at the weekend, it would appear that Kell Brook is ready to get straight back at it and into the gym, with promoter Eddie Hearn wanting to continue the Sheffield fighter’s fantastic momentum since returning from an horrific stabbing last year – hoping to have him out again, in his home city, on August 29th.

It would be the third outing for Brook this year – and with Amir Khan seemingly unwilling to fight the IBF champion, it means Hearn and Matchroom are looking at other options. Notably it seems, Brandon Rios, whose trainer Robert Garcia was recently vocal in his assertions that Brandon had been available all along for Saturday’s date in place of Frankie Gavin.

At the post fight presser on Saturday, Hearn said;

Brandon Rios vs. Victor Ortiz. Who wins?

02/16/201502/15/2015 James Sexton

Boxing has produced some real characters over the years, but Victor Ortiz is developing into one of the most enigmatic men currently active. Ortiz and Rios did grow up together through boxing and this would be a fight with a true emotionally charged back story, but other than that it does not seem to have a lot going for it. The Marcos Maidana, Floyd Mayweather Jr, Josesito Lopez and Luis Collazo debacles do not seem to have phased Ortiz.

Brandon Rios eager to fight

02/09/201502/08/2015 James Sexton

Brandon Rios (33-2-1 24KO) is in a good place in the boxing world right now after a surprisingly quick dispatching of rival fighter Mike Alvarado in January. This fight was a bit of an anticlimactic finish for what was a good trilogy, but nevertheless has left Rios with a good choice of opposition for his next fight.

As always the welterweight division has a long list of names which would be good fights for Rios including a bout with newly crowned IBF champion Kell Brook or a boxer vs brawler type matchup with former champion Timothy Bradley who seems to have a stalled career after his first loss and draw in 2014. Another interesting fight, which would be ideal, but is also unlikely would be a catch-weight bout with the winner of Provodnikov vs Matthysse in another war.

Arum: Brandon Rios will only get big fights now

01/25/2015 Rob Smith

Brandon Rios (33-2-1, 24 KOs) came into last night’s fight against Mike Alvarado (34-4, 23 KOs) with his career essentially on the brink of collapse after losses to Manny Pacquiao, Alvarado and question wins over Richard Abril and Diego Chaves. But with his 3rd round stoppage win over a near-frozen Alvarado, Rios’ career has been rejuvenated, at least temporarily.

Rios’ promoter Bob Arum is so excited about his win last night that he’s talking about the 28-year-old Rios getting nothing but big fights from here on out.