On July 9, LIVE SHOWTIME from the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif, Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios (27-0-1, 19KOs), of Oxnard, takes on Maywood’s Urbano Antillon (28-2, 20KOs) for “Bam Bams” WBA lightweight strap in the main event of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING double feature.
In the co-main event, hard hitting former IBF world titlist Kermit Cintron (32-3-1, 28KOs), of Puerto Rico, will tussle with Chicago’s Carlos Molina (18-4-2, 6KOs) in a 10 round junior middleweight contest.
Also on the card, fast rising pinoy Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (21-0-1, 11KOs), of San Diego by way of Cebu, Philippines, will be making his Top Rank debut. According to MaxBoxing.com/Comcast SportsNet’s Ryan Maquinana, Gesta will square off against New Jersey’s Francisco Lorenzo (36-10, 16KOs).
25-year-old Rios, who is from Lubbock, TX., will be making the first defense of his title since lifting it from Miguel Acosta on February 26, in a fight of the year candidate that saw Brandon mount a nice comeback to batter Acosta into submission [after being easily out-boxed in the first six] for a 10th round knockout.
Brandon is known for his good whiskers and pressure style fighting. Like his stable mate Antonio Margarito, Rios takes everything his opponents have to offer, blocking punches with his face. Then when they tire in the later rounds Brandon punishes the body and head with his booming power until they lay down. Rios is the most exciting fighter at 135lbs and one of the most entertaining period. Brandon is a real guy, he doesn’t have a filter and say’s what’s on his mind. He’s all truth and there is no lying in his fighting.
The thing that makes this scrap so exciting is that 28-year-old Urbano Antillon, from Chihuahua, Mexico, is also a fan-friendly, come forward and never stop punching type fighter. The Abel Sanchez trained Antillon is a world class boxer, who has come up short in his first two world title opportunities against Humberto Soto and Miguel Acosta [who Rios laid out for his WBA trinket].
Even in defeat Antillon showed the warrior spirit in thrilling bouts. In 2009 Urbano was knocked out by Acosta in the 9th round for the interim WBA belt, in a very close and entertaining fight up to that point. In 2010 Antillon lost another close one to Humberto Soto in a war for the WBC championship, in what most pundits and fans alike consider fight of the year.
Both these man are throwback pugilist that leave everything in the ring and this is sure to be a can’t miss battle of wills. Adding fuel to the fire, the fast talking Rios is fuming because he feels Antillon disrespected his wife, and according to “Bam Bam,” family talk is off limits and Urbano will pay for his words. Antillon made a reference to Rios’ wife having the real huevos in the family.
Here is what both men and their handlers had to say on Thursday during the Top Rank hosted conference call, a little over a week away from the opening bell.
BOB ARUM:
“Brandon Rios and Urbano Antillon – you don’t have to sell that fight. Everyone knows they are going to see a really great and entertaining fight. We are ready to set the standard and the record as far as ratings are concerned on SHOWTIME this year.”
“Urbano Antillon has fought a number of years under the Top Rank Banner. One thing we can be sure of with Urbano is that we are going to get a great, great fight. A lot of people think he won the fight against Soto but the controversial decision went against him.”
“This fight will be right up there as one of the candidates as 2011 Fight of the Year.”
BRANDON RIOS:
“Camp is going very well and I’m working with my new strength and conditioning coach. I know he (Antillon) has said the third time is a charm for a world title but in this manner it will not be a charm. He’s a helluva fighter and a tough challenger, so we are ready for the best. I just can’t wait to give the hometown fans what they came for and have paid to see, just two warriors going out. That’s exactly what they’re going to get, two guys beating the crap out of each other.”
“We were supposed to fight a year ago and unfortunately I got cut in sparring. He was running around saying I didn’t want to fight him and that I was chicken. He was just running his mouth and after a while he just started to get to me. And then when this fight started he was doing it again, just running his mouth and talking all kinds of smack. At the press conference he mentioned my wife. Fighters shouldn’t bring family into it.”
“I love it when I have beef with my opponent.”
FIGHTERS BRANDON LOOKED UP TO:
“I looked up to Julio Cesar Chavez. I liked the way (Diego) Corrales fought. I liked the way Arturo Gatti fought. I like the way Castillo fought. That’s the type of fighters I looked up to.”
Brandon’s Trainer ROBERT GARCIA:
“We are going to go in there and have some fun. That’s what we like to do. We know Antillon is going to be very prepared as he’s been training in Big Bear with Abel Sanchez. We expect the best from Antillon, but you will see the best Brandon Rios.”
“Brandon’s such a hard worker and his mentality is to not only be great in this sport, but to be one of the all-time greats. He told me, ‘I don’t care if I’m ever in the pound-for-pound. I may never be. I just want to be remembered for being a tough fighter that I am.'”
On the Trash Talk:
“That’s the first thing people mentioned to me after the press conference. That’s the best thing that could of happened. I know Brandon. Now he’s training harder and he’s loving it. Now he basically wants to go out there and kick his ass. When Antillon came up to shake his hand after the press conference Brandon said, ‘Why do you want to shake my hand? I fuckin hate you right now. Dude, get the fuck outta here.'”
URBANO ANTILLON:
“Our training is going great. If you thought I was in great shape against Soto, I’m probably in even better shape this time. I’m in a different state of mind, a positive state of mind and just looking forward to this fight.”
“I don’t feel pressure whatsoever fighting at home. It won’t be my first time fighting at home and hopefully won’t be my last. It’s always been an honor, and if anything, very motivating. I’ve always had great support from my hometown and hope to bring them a world championship.”
The difference between Humberto Soto and Brandon Rios is that Rios is not a mover, he’s not a boxer. If he tries to do that I’m sure he’s not going to do a great job at it. If he wants to stand there in front of me he’s going to get hit. Brandon Rios is nothing special, he’s no different from anyone else.
About it Being Personal:
No not at all. It’s kind of mind boggling the way he’s taken it. I did mention his wife but never in a way that should have upset him. He can play victim to whatever he wants, and say I said this or that. It’s nothing personal to me except that he’s holding my world title.”
I was very surprised the way he reacted actually. It really took me back to my elementary school years being flipped off by a fifth-grader on the playground or something. I’m sure Oxnard and the City Council who gave him a key to the city are pretty proud of him that he reacted like that. He’s a great example to them and the community, I’m sure.”
Antillon’s Trainer ABEL SANCHEZ:
“We are looking forward to a spectacular fight. Both guys are going to be very prepared and I know Robert is a great coach. I know Rios is training very hard and is a tough opponent for us but you know what, that’s what these fights are supposed to be. A world championship fight is supposed to be this tough. Urbano has had a great camp and we are looking forward to July 9 and that boxing will have a new superstar. The crowd and the people watching on TV are going to be the winners because this is the type of fight that will get all those MMA fans back on our side.”
Damn, I like both these guys and as much as I’d like to see Antillon gain a title, I’d like to see Rios hold on to his belt just as much. I don’t think this will be Antillon’s night but he’s got a chance. I’m looking forward to a great fight. I
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