VLOG: Rios excited to step in the ring

MACAU – 3 days before his fight with people’s champ Manny Pacquiao, 27-year-old Brandon Rios says he’s excited and more than ready to step into the ring against the world boxing champion.

Natashya Gutierrez files this video blog.

NATASHYA GUTIERREZ, REPORTING: I’m here right now at Brandon Rios’ morning session. After following Manny Pacquiao’s camp closely, it’s easy to see differences between the two.

Here at Rios’ camp, the atmosphere is light and jolly. Training is easy as the fight nears. Six rounds on the mitts, some work on the punching bag, a few minutes of jumprope and a cool down. An upbeat Rios jokes around in the ring, in a good mood. He’s pumped he says, and has been faithful to his trainer Robert Garcia’s instructions.

Compared to Pacquiao’s camp, this team is much smaller. Its a 9-man, close knit team, a stark contrast from Pacquiao’s 30-man entourage. Media is scarce at the underdog’s sessions, compared to the international media that flock to the training of the Filipino superstar.

Even the choice of music differs from Pacquiao’s camp, which is often Christian music. Here, latin music blares from the speakers, sometimes hip-hop. At the cool down, it’s Adele’s soundtrack.

Rios says he’s ready for the biggest fight of his life.

BRANDON RIOS, AMERICAN BOXER: I’m in tremendous shape. I feel good, I’m ready to fight, I wish the fight was today. Everything is going really well, my weight is perfect and everything’s fine so I’m ready.

He won’t have to wait long. It’s only 3 days until fight night.

GUTIERREZ: Despite the contrasts, however, both fighters are tied together by one nature similarity — both know how important this fight is to their respective careers.

Natashya Gutierrez. Rappler, Macau.

– Rappler.com