Brandon Rios Likely Returning March 3 on HBO, Staying at Lightweight

Brandon Rios, who lost his WBA lightweight title on the scales before his December 3 fight against John Murray in New York, will return to the ring on March 3, with HBO televising. And the fighter will be staying at 135 pounds for now. From RingTV.com and trainer Robert Garcia:

"We know that we will be fighting with Rios on March 3 on HBO, and the word is that it's going to be here in Los Angeles. We were told that it might be at the Home Depot Center, or maybe at the Staples Center," said Garcia.

"We're still not sure where, but they told us LA on March 3. We don't have an opponent yet, but I'm sure that Cameron Dunkin and Top Rank will give us the name soon. But that's what's going to happen with Brandon."

Rios (29-0-1, 22 KO) had three terrific fights in 2011, defeating Miguel Acosta, Urbano Antillon, and Murray, but he's been known to struggle to make 135 pounds for a while now, even before beating Acosta last February. Dunkin keeps saying "fast food, fast food," like that's the only problem, but it probably isn't.

They do have Victor Conte working with Rios already, and they're serious about figuring out if he can make 135 anymore. Garcia believes they'll fight a couple more times at the weight, then go up to 140.

As for possible opponent, who knows? 135 has plenty of options, but not a lot of marquee guys. A title fight against Antonio DeMarco, who holds the WBC belt, could be really fantastic, and while Rios is not currently ranked by the WBC, I'm sure that could be, uh, amended. But it could really be anyone right now.