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Brandon Rios: Mike Alvarado ran, didn't deserve to win rematch

Brandon Rios says he's reviewed the tape, and believes he should have won against Mike Alvarado on March 30, saying that Alvarado ran and held too much.

Josh Hedges

Brandon Rios took the first official loss of his career on March 30, dropping a 12-round decision to Mike Alvarado in a bout that will be on the 2013 Fight of the Year shortlist. But the Oxnard fighter says that now that he's reviewed the tape, he doesn't feel as though he should have taken the loss in the bout, criticizing Alvarado for his tactics:

"In the long run when I watched the fight, I did not lose that fight. I have it 7-5 or with some of the rounds, maybe a draw. Being around my family helps too. ... He didn't do anything. He ran the last three rounds. He didn't connect. I was the one doing the more damage. The more chasing. The more hitting. That's why I thought I won those last three rounds. ... We were preparing for another brawl. That's how I messed up. It was our fault. But it was a good job. We cut the ring off. But when we did that, I didn't pursue more. Next time we'll be ready for another game plan. Whatever he brings."

Rios (31-1-1, 23 KO) adds that he wants the immediate rematch with Alvarado (34-1, 23 KO), but that doesn't seem likely to happen, as Bob Arum has stated he wants to make other fights before going into the rubber match, and even Rios' trainer Robert Garcia says he prefers that path.

What do you think here? Is Rios still simply adjusting to having been handed his first loss, or is he a bit delusional about what Alvarado did in the fight? Did Alvarado run, or did he simply use lateral movement to take some of the sting out of Rios' attack?

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