Brandon Rios vs Urbano Antillon

By Randy De La O

To borrow a phrase from Mark Twain - sort of - "Rumors of boxing's death are greatly exaggerated". If you don't believe me, just take a look at the talent laden lightweight division. The current Ring ratings have Juan Manuel Marquez as their champion, and rightly so, following in the number one position is Brandon Rios, who also happens to be the WBA Lightweight Champion, and one of boxing's newest and most exciting young fighter. Number two and three in the rankings Humberto Soto (WBC Champion) and Robert Guerrero, followed by John Murray, Michael Katsidis, Miguel Acosta, Paulus Moses, Urbano Antillon, Miguel Vazquez and Antonio De Marco. If that isn't enough, the next division above are the the Super Lightweights/Junior Welterweights (take your pick) with guys like Timothy Bradley, Marcos Maidana, Amir Khan and Eric Morales ready to face any of the lightweights should they decide to move up.

After Eric Morales' outstanding performance against Marcos Maidana, earning a draw that many felt should have been a win for Morales, a fight between Juan Manuel Marquez and Morales suddenly seems like a great match up. Of the great Mexican trio of champions, Marquez, Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera, only Marquez and Morales have yet to face each other. Maybe it'll happen yet.

Urbano Antillon

Urbano Antillon will challenge Brandon Rios this Saturday at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California for Rios' WBA Lightweight title. Antillon has failed in two attempts at the title, getting stopped in the 9th round by Miguel Acosta in July of 2009 in Mexico, and most recently, in his last fight with Humberto Soto, losing a hard fought unanimous decision. Antillon 28 years old, is from Mexico but now lives Maywood, California. He's won 28 of his 30 fights and is an exciting and forward moving fighter that fights his way inside and knows how to work the body. He's not afraid to mix it up. The two failed attempts for a title will be spurring him on tomorrow night. He'll be motivated.

Brandon Rios

Brandon Rios has become one of my favorite fighters. He's a little cocky, but in a good way, a little bit of a bad boy, but again, in a good way. He has a likable personality. More than anything though, He likes to fight. He's not perfect and sometimes guys that like to fight the way Rios does don't last long. I'm hoping he does. He's good for boxing. Rios is undefeated in 28 bouts, the lone blemish is a draw with Manuel Perez in 2008. Rios stopped Perez in the rematch a year later, in the 7th round of a scheduled 10 round bout.

Saturday's fight has the potential to be a fight of the year, if it lives up to the expectations. These two guys honestly don't like each other.  I like both of these guys but my gut says Brandon keeps his title, maybe by knockout. However, as always, may the best man win! The fight will be shown on Showtime. Their weight for Saturday night: Brandon Rios 135 - Urbano Antillon 134.75