Does WBA lightweight champ Miguel Acosta have the goods to put a blemish on another undefeated fighter’s record and maintain his winning ways?
Live from the Palms Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, WBA lightweight champion Miguel “Aguacerito” Acosta will put his title on the line against undefeated challenger in Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios on February 29, 2011. Showtime will broadcast this intriguing matchup between two fighters that will will be looking to lift themselves into the limelight in the 135 pound division with a win on that night. Acosta has all of the skills, and power, to make a big splash at lightweight, but will Rios and his pressure attack lead him to a surprise victory on the big stage?
Tale of the Tape
Brandon Lee “Bam Bam” Rios is 24 years old, with an undefeated record of 27 wins, 0 losses, and 1 bout ending in a draw. He stands at 5 feet 9 inches tall, with a 70 in reach, fighting out of orthodox stance.
Miguel “Aguacerito” Acosta is 32 years old with an excellent record consisting of 28 wins, 3 losses, and 2 bouts ending in a draw. He stands at 5 feet 8 and one half inches tall, his reach is unknown, and he also fights out of the orthodox stance.
Acosta vs. Rios Preview
Brandon Ríos is an undefeated Mexican-American lightweight who is the current North American Boxing Federation lightweight champion. The Texas native had an outstanding amateur career, sporting a record of 230 wins and 35 losses. In 2004, Ríos captured the U.S. National Amateur Featherweight championship. Rios made his professional debut in July of 2004 and since joining the professional ranks, Bam Bam has teamed up with Antonio Margarito’s trainer Robert Garcia, and has scored quality victories over fighters such as Jorge Luis Teron, and then undefeated lightweight contender Anthony Peterson. Now Rios looks to gain his biggest win yet, capturing a lightweight title against one of the hottest fighters in the sport when he squares off against Miguel Acosta.
Miguel “Aguacerito” Acosta is the current WBA lightweight champion. Born in Venezuela, Acosta has been fighting professionally since 2002. Known for his power and adaptability, Acosta has not lost a fight since 2003. Acosta has two huge wins coming in the last 18 months against two previously undefeated fighters in Urbano Antillon and Paulus Moses. He captured the interim WBA title against Antillon and then solidified his championship status by besting Moses.
Acosta vs. Rios Prediction
Acosta has great power and has been turning back undefeated fighters left and right. Rios likes to come straightforward, and apply pressure to his opponents, so I expect this to be a great fight. Both fighters have knockout power and most of their fights do not go the distance, so I do not expect this fight to go the distance either. I would typically expect for Rios to become stronger as the fight goes on, but I have a gut feeling that at the end of the day, Acosta’s experience in the ring will stunt Rios’ chances to win this fight. Both Antillon and Moses could be considered as potentially superior fighters to Rios, and Acosta stopped each of them to get to where he is today. Rios will meet the same fate.
Prediction: Acosta by ninth round knockout
