Brandon Rios Battles ADHD!

By
Michele Chong
-
12
Player Props.

Fights on Pac-Marg Undercard THIS WEEKEND

By now you have probably seen the YouTube video where fighters Brandon Rios, Antonio Margarito and their trainer Robert Garcia seemingly appear to mock Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach’s Parkinson’s disease. Those few seconds, captured forever on film, have polarized the boxing community with fans suddenly turning on the underdog Mexican punchers.

I have seen the video and of course would never condone anyone making fun of someone else’s physical problems. For the record, the trio have now all publicly apologized and have asked for forgiveness for what they said was a video taken out of context, stating they never meant to hurt anyone. They also have stated that they were not being insensitive, that they didn’t know of the beloved Wild Card coach’s disease. Both camps have gone back and forth in their verbal sparring; that’s nothing new in boxing. But this time, the fans have voiced their disgust upon viewing this video especially as the Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito showdown is now upon us.

In the undercard at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the “Tijuana Tornado’s” stablemate Rios (25-0-1, 18 KOs) will be taking on Omri Lowther (14-2, KOs). But with the recent Elie Seckbach video going viral on the Internet, I recalled the fun-loving, high-energy “Bam Bam” Rios I first met. Up until the Roach clip surfaced, Brandon was one of the most likable guys in boxing circles; you knew you’d get a great “sound bite” from him as he never held back–and never biting his tongue in opinions given. I’ve seen him at press conferences and also spent an afternoon last month at a private sparring session at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Oxnard where Margarito went ten rounds. In these previous meetings with Rios, the 24-year-old slugger revealed something personal to me: He suffers from adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

This is not a P.R. move from the Oxnard camp. Brandon just happened to tell me about his condition in past conversations; I have not spoken with him since the recent workout in Ventura County. This article is also not meant to garner any extra compassion for the outgoing and outspoken Rios, but to bring awareness that he has also been diagnosed with a disease that affects millions worldwide.

He confided that he has ADHD while we were chatting after a presser in L.A. It’s not hard to figure out that Rios is talkative, hyper and as his trainer Garcia had previously told me, “Brandon is crazy!” As I spoke with the not-shy fighter, I watched and listened to him as our talk continued. He was gregarious, funny and yes, a bit crazy. As I carefully observed him, I finally said, “Ummm, you’ve really got a lot of energy!”

Rios laughed and looked at me, acknowledging, “Yeah, I know; I have ADHD. They gave me medicine when I was younger, but I didn’t like the way it made me feel.”

I told him that I’m a hyper, “Type A” person myself who multi-tasks maybe just a little too much. I also told him that while I do not have have adult ADD, I can certainly relate as I sometimes get distracted or overwhelmed by everything we women try to do. I asked him how his ADHD–which he was officially diagnosed with–affects his life and his boxing career.

“Yeah, when I was younger, it used to be just ‘He’s so hyper!'” he explains of the hardscrabble youth in which he had even served jail time. “I am hyper–and SO energetic! And I can do seven or eight things at the same time. But now I focus–and no candy, no coffee and no Red Bull! If I have that, forget it!” Caffeine, stimulants and sugar are this fighter’s biggest foe.

While his ADHD cannot solely be blamed for his behavior in the video, it could possibly shine a light on why he does what he does–blurting out controversial statements, saying ridiculous comments and also notoriously dropping so many F-Bombs that would make heavyweight Chris Arreola proud. What are the symptoms of ADHD? Among the symptoms are a tendency to make careless mistakes in activity, is easily distracted, has difficulty in completing tasks, talks incessantly, interrupts others with impulsive behavior and outbursts. Sound familiar?

At the time I spoke with Brandon (before the Roach scandal), he was aware that his statements were an Internet sensation. At the Oxnard gym, he even told me to check him out on YouTube to hear his war of words against Victor Ortiz. At the time, he knew he had a lot of haters; now in the most recent dust-up I am sure his legion of haters have grown immensely. But Rios–the one I observed–was never mean-spirited or verbally abusive to others while in the safe confines of his own gym. On the day of my visit, the HBO crew was also there to interview him for their “24/7” series on Pacquiao vs. Margarito.

On camera, Brandon, who grew up in Garden City, Kansas, told the assembled crew about his past struggles and how Garcia and boxing has calmed him down and also how his new wife has kept him focused. He also explained that he is a big “clown” who “fucks around with everyone!”

Yes, he did joke around constantly, running around the gym, always laughing. And yes, at times he was vulgar and crude in his language and gestures. But he was also like that little bratty kid who acts up just to get attention, really meaning no harm. And he was also friendly and helpful to everyone in the gym, even to new visitors who just walked through the doors. Brandon introduced everyone to each other, played with one of his fellow fighter’s baby girl and also affectionately picked out nicknames for the gym’s regulars. He pointed out names he gave the camera crew, “He’s ‘Shaggy’ for his hairstyle, we call him ‘Peter Pan’ ’cause he looks so young, there’s ‘Seth Rogen’ and ‘Screech’ over there. Don’t they look like those actors?”

As Arthur, the HBO translator, joins us Brandon yells out, “And this is ‘Yandel’!” He’s given his pal the name of a Reggaeton star Rios thinks he resembles. Then Brandon looks at me and decides to pick out a nickname for me. He and Arthur consider calling me “Pocahontas” but decide it’s not quite right. Throughout the day, he’s stymied as he tries to find a suitable nickname for me. It seems to really frustrate him that he can’t find the perfect nickname to give me. During the hand wrapping between Garcia and Margarito, Brandon suddenly interrupts the quiet tone as he points at me, bursting forward with, “Hey GUYS, she needs a nickname! What can we call her?” Robert and Tony just chuckle as they are surely used to Rios’ impromptu outbursts.

Then we all watch Tony spar against four southpaws as Brandon positions himself at ringside. Reclining on a swiveling desk chair that he pulled up to the apron of the ring, the young boxer shouts out taunts of encouragement during the sparring. “WAR!” he yells as some inside action takes place. “‘Break!,’ ‘One minute to go!,’ ‘Knockout King!’ and ‘Last TEN seconds!'” are also the instructions given from the de facto trainer rolling back and forth on the chair’s padded seat. Like his disorder dictates, Rios was constantly in motion and shouting out comments non stop.

Rios continues to cope with his ADHD. He has told me that he funnels all the excess energy into boxing. In regards to his next clash this weekend, is he doing anything different in preparing for Lowther, especially after Rios’ after his attention-getting fight versus Anthony Peterson? “Not really. I go in the same, whoever I’m fighting!” Brandon replied. “I stay focused and ready; I don’t feel any added pressure. I’m just gonna be the same as always!”

Same as always means fearless and fierce in the ring, crazy and outspoken outside the ring. His trademark after victories is “El Grito,” a battle cry that he loves doing. “Ay, Yi, Yi, Yi!” as he thrusts his head back screaming loudly.

And on a positive note, the fighter is also readying himself for that constant sound of crying. He and his wife Vicky are waiting for the impending birth of their new baby. I ask if he knows if the littlest slugger will be a boy or a girl? “It’s a GIRL!” he exclaims. “I am very blessed. She’s due around Thanksgiving or December 5th, actually…BUT she might be born on the night of my fight!” This was when Rios was originally set to fight on December 4.

“Any names picked out?” I inquire.

“Yes! We’re gonna name her Mia–for Mia St. John,” answers Brandon. “I have two other kids and they are named after boxers too. I have Laila for Laila Ali and Marcus for Marco Antonio Barrera.”

“I wonder if baby Mia become a boxer?” I tease.

Rios laughs loudly and tells me, “That’s what my my wife says! The baby moves around a lot, she might be a future fighter. My wife says the baby has my energy and spirit. Can you imagine?”

Lately it’s Brandon Rios’ overabundance of energy and spirit with his mouth and to many, his inappropriate actions, that have gotten him in hot water.

If anything, I think the young man will learn a lesson from this latest debacle. He is not lacking compassion; he’s suffered from ADHD (although not comparable AT ALL to Parkinson’s) for a long, long time. It’s not an excuse. But this time, Rios’ uncontrolled actions really got the better of him.

The Oxnard camp obviously knows that they will need to continue to seek redemption for this latest controversy.

But inside the ropes, let’s see what Brandon Rios’ actions will be Saturday night as he looks to focus on his next victory.

Photos by Michele Chong

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12 COMMENTS

  3. ADHD my … He’s stupid. That’s all there is to it. Brandon Rios, I hope your career will end up being very short and disappointing. Bad luck to you.

  4. @philipino,Dude you people has only one good boxer .Mexican have been in the game for centuries .How do you like last week when 3 faggots philipinos where dominated by Mexican fighters .Dude you can’t ever compare Mexico to your fucking counters when it comes to boxing .
    I really do understand one thing about philipinos
    if they are so fucking proud of their country ,why they leave it to go work in the US.If you love your country just stay their fucking hypocrite .
    One other thing about philipino people,why their women always have the tendency to fuck guys who are not philipino such as blacks,white,Latino
    maybe because their men can’t keep up with their sexual needs or ……
    Philipinos are the most hypocrite people on earth .They back stap people .Talk behind people backs . Alwasy make fun of people as if they perfect .they think that they are slik and other people are stupid .They think that their smooth talk will get them to fool people.Their women are whores who fuck for a 5 dollars.
    A friend of mine told that he hired 10 philipinas
    200 bucks to satisfied his sexual needs when he traveled to Manila.Cheap people with no pride .

  5. what happened with all of the fucking shit that you’ve been telling on the plane while the documentary was being shoot?! what is your opinion now, brandon rios?! c’mon tell something about what you have just witnessed… margarito ate all of the punches that pacquiao thrown… you little puta! all talk… all mouth! why don’t you try to add weight and fight pacquiao! then you’ll see….!!!!hahaha

  6. To Mr. Robert Garcia, the greatest boxing coach of the decade… decided to let his boxer (margarito) experienced the “all time beating of his career”. what happened to his face?! DAMN.. from a good-looking mexican turned into an “old rugged punching bag”… what’s your excuse now Mr. Robert Garcia?! be thankful that Manny is only in his 80% comdition, ‘coz if he’s in his prime 100%… you will take margarito to the hospital with “PLASTER ON HIS FACE”, eyes wide SHUT, BLIND for about 2 months!hahaha possibly will have PARKINSON and ALZHEIMER as well.. if i were you, i’m going to close my training gym due to this embarrassment… just mock around your house and take good care of your children! you don’t know boxing! good decision on not to continue your boxing career.. one more thing, think of withdrawing your boxing coach as well.. all MANNY PACQUAIO HATERS, that’s the only thing that you can do for the rest of your lives! CHAMPION IS STILL AND WILL ALWAYS BE CHAMPION!

  7. ADHD does have the symptoms of being talkative and impulsive. However, it is not an excuse for any behavior. Those with ADHD have a responsibility to get involved with family and counselors on behavior modification. It is obvious that Rios has never done that and doesn’t appear to have the desire to. His language is always offensive (like many of the posts we see here). As long as those around him laugh and joke about his inappropriate behavior he will just continue. It may be cute on a young guy but it will lose it’s cuteness as he ages. Children will accept the behavior as being acceptable. I have two sons with ADHD and they were held to the same behavior and discipline standards as any other student in school and at home. They did not like the medications either but with behavior modification they have been able to keep the fun and energetic part of them and manage the impulsive part.They definately know how to show respect and what language is appropriate and where. They had to learn to take responsibility for their disorder and work harder than the other kids to reach the same goals. Take the easy way out and they will never progress to real adulthood. Rios now has a bigger responsibility than most because of his talent and notoriety. He is going to be a mentor to other young boxers, ready or not. I hope he takes this seriously and works on what he says and does. He does not have to be a victim of ADHD. He can take control. I have a hard time hearing what he is saying about boxing because of all the offensive remarks. Those with ADHD usually have have more passion then anyone around them. I hope he tones down the language so his real gifts can shine. Michelle Chong is right that ADHD is no excuse for the taunting of Roach. Roach has no control over his symptoms and behavior modification is not an option. Lets go Rios. Take control and be the leader that you can be. Use your gifts and leave the rest behind.

  8. I believe that coward gayerather is a faggot because people who try to defame others for bring gay are gay themselves in their own closet
    Be a man coward gayerather and declare your tendency to suck dick and get fucked. I respect gay people who are open about their sexuality
    not gay people like cowar gayerather who is defaming gay people ,but himself is disgused cocksucker who is affraid to expose his love for dicks .
    Be a man coward gayerather and admit that you are a cock lover .hypocrite faggot .

  9. @coward gayweather…you should say that to his face…. Lol … He would probably beat the shit out of you…..

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