Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KO), once considered the pound-for-pound rival of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and best boxer on the planet, is looking to bounce back from consecutive losses to Timothy Bradley and Juan Manual Marquez by taking on brawler Brandon Rios (31-1-1, 23 KO) in the Philippines on November 24th, according to reports. He has not fought outside the United States since 2006.
Pacquiao dropped an extremely questionable split decision to Bradley (30-0-0, 12 KO) in June of last year, and then was knocked out by Marquez in December of 2012, who had failed to top Pacquiao in three previous bouts.
Brandon Rios was a relative unknown to the general public until he engaged in an all-out war in October of 2012 with Mike Alvarado, in which he scored a TKO victory in the seventh round. In the rematch, which was held in March of this year, Alvarado avenged the previous loss by taking a unanimous decision in a fight bloodier and more brutal than their first one.
According to Bob Arum, Pacquiao's promoter, Rios was chosen precisely because of his exciting, brawling style. Pacquiao himself is known for his hand speed and devastating power, as well as his ability to overwhelm opponents. "People know what Rios brings to the table," Arum said. "People want to see a real fight, and that is what you get with Rios. We're building a business in Macau and China and these are the kinds of fights -- real action fights -- that they want to see."
Before losing to Bradley, Pacquiao had been on a 15-fight winning streak dating back to 2005. During that streak Pacquiao notched victories over Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Marquez, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito.
According to people in Pacquiao's camp, both Marquez and Bradley eschewed rematches with Pacquiao and will fight each other in August.
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