Pacquiao vs Rios: Bob Arum focused on this fight, nothing else for Manny

Bob Arum doesn't want to look too far into the future when it comes to Manny Pacquiao, who looks to score his first official win in two years on November 23 against Brandon Rios. Arum believes that Pacquiao has plenty to worry about with this fight, and worrying about what could be next would be foolish.

Arum said "to talk about other fights is idiotic when Manny has his hands full" against Brandon Bam Bam Rios in Macau on November 23.

Arum told the BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard the Rios fight is "the order of business. It's a very important fight for Manny and its not an easy fight."

Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KO) will turn 35 on December 17 of this year, so about a month after he faces Rios (31-1-1, 23 KO), and there is some question as to how he will come back from a devastating and brutal KO loss to Juan Manuel Marquez last December.

Rios, 27, appears on paper to be a good style matchup for Manny, as the former lightweight titlist comes straight forward and doesn't do much by way of anything fancy, which should give Pacquiao opportunities to land big shots. His speed, quickness, and overall skill would seem to give him a big edge against the tough but limited Rios. But Rios is hard to deter and does go 100 mph, and if Manny's not mentally ready for that, it could be a rough night. Realistically, Arum is totally right: Manny cannot afford to overlook Brandon Rios, because another loss would be a major blow to Pacquiao's career, whatever remains of it.