Brandon Rios Looking Up to 140 After Murray, Wants Marcos Maidana

Trainer Robert Garcia tells Chris Robinson that if Brandon Rios wins as expected on December 3 against John Murray, the lightweight titlist wants to move up to 140 and give fight fans something of a dream war against Marcos Maidana:

"Brandon wants to go to war for twelve rounds. He said he wants to move up to 140 and face [Marcos] Maidana. That’s the one who’s going to give me a war. That’s the fight he wants to fight. Those type of wars like Castillo-Corrales, Gatti-Ward, he wants to be in that type of fight."

This came up last time we spoke about Rios, and I said I think Rios has a big edge on Maidana. I think he's a more accurate puncher, a better boxer, and a harder puncher in close, which is where Rios likes to fight. Maidana, for as strong as he is, likes a little bit of range, and Rios is great at smothering guys.

Of course, others will also have the opinion that Maidana would be too big and too much for Rios. And that's why the fight is so interesting. For one thing, it will be a great fight, there's no doubt about that. But more than that, it's definitely a "styles make fights" matchup one way or the other, I believe. Either Rios can keep it in close quarters and do his work, or Maidana has the sort of power that if he connects with one of his looping shots, he can keep Rios at bay and look to hammer him at range.

Who would you pick if this fight comes into play? Rios has the frame for 140 easily, so I can't imagine him struggling with the weight. Do you favor Rios' inside game and relentless power, or do you think Maidana has the right sort of fearless style and ability to go through Rios' best shots and come out victorious?