Calling the upset tonight: Diego Chaves

[Fightdoctor]

I have only seen Diego Chaves fight once and that was against Keith Thurman. Diego is more than the typical Brazilian slugger. He is a very good counterpuncher with above average power/snap on his punches. I feel that he will shine against the face-first, come forward grinding style of Rios. Even though Rios is naturally bigger Chaves has been fighting at welter much longer. This is Rios second fight at welter and the first was a glorified sparring session against a somewhat gunshy Pacquiao who clearly dominated but chose not to risk stepping on the gas and possibly getting caught. Rios greatest asset has been his ability to drain himself down to lightweight, add 20 pounds overnight and soak up enough punishment to dish out his own on a much smaller man. Chaves is not much smaller than Rios. Chaves is the better boxer. He is much quicker and has a better punch selection/arsenal. The only X factor in this matchup is Chaves stamina or lack of, especially with the late flight from Brazil. Having said that I believe that Chaves will take the first 5 rounds relatively easily and hurt Rios enough to think twice about barreling forward. Even if he tires Chaves can get away from the slow-footed Rios whenever he chooses. Plus the fight is only scheduled for 10 rounds. I see Chaves beating Rios to the punch all night for a clear decision or possible stoppage on cuts.

[ReggieDiggs]

This don't seem like that much of an upset, but I'm with you.

Anyone got the betting odds on this fight? Seems like some $$$ to be made.

[diddy]

Yeah that's no upset

[hulkmaniac]

Rios is -150. He's barely the favorite considering he has the locale advantage.

[NateJR]

This is a fight to make Rios look good. He will walk the small guy down, hurt him early and win by TKO.

[sucracristo]

i was looking for rbr thread on this card.
first few rounds of this vargas fight commentators were talking
about nothing but vargas even though he wasn't winning by that much.
novokov has won the 4th and 5th imo. he takes a good shot, too

[ikorolev]

Chaves is not Paquiao, but he is sort of following Manny's blueprint in the last 4 rounds. I have it 4 to 2 Chaves.

[sucracristo]

Chaves is not Paquiao, but he is sort of following Manny's blueprint.

except for all the headbutting and holding...

[ikorolev]

Chaves is not Paquiao, but he is sort of following Manny's blueprint.

except for all the headbutting and holding...

Headbutting is mostly from Rios. Chaves is holding because he is not Pacquiao.

[ikorolev]

Awful outcome. Both were breaking rules equally. In any case, it was an entertaining fight which should have gone on. Nothing like Wlad vs Povetkin.

[Fightdoctor]

Bulls°t

[greenmonkey]

Brandon Rios is complete garbage....Wish that punk would just retire...yeah poking my eyes with thumbless gloves

[sucracristo]

Headbutting is mostly from Rios. Chaves is holding because he is not Pacquiao.

in the clinches chaves was holding and shoving his head in rios's face for 5-6 seconds at a time
and rubbing it back and forth. not just typical holding, either, like in normal clinches. he was tying
up both rios' arms and headlocking and that last tackle while holding rios in a headlock is way over
the line. that's not everyday holding. the sad thing is the over the top fouls did nothing to help him
in the fight. he was the better boxer on the outside and could have won a decision.
what did he gain from that crap? I wasn't rooting for either guy to win. I just wanted to
see a good fight. this had the potential to be a good fight but was turning into a stinker
from all the cheating.

[crusader]

Rios was using his head just as much as Chavez was, and while Chavez was holding more it was hardly DQ worthy. The supposed tackle in the 8th was also just a case of the boxers losing their balance (due to Rios bearing in) and Chaves landing on top.

Drakulich started taking points far too early and he worked himself into a corner. The final decision to DQ Chaves was also laughable give that he was doing nothing illegal and instead had Rios's elbows in his face.

[Impractical Poster]

It was a rough fight. Brandon comes straight in, head first, and throws. The fight should have just been left to play out. The ref seemed unable to handle what played out. It seemed that he gave Rios a point deduction to even up the score after he realized that he prematurely took a point away from Diego. Everyone was robbed tonight.

[eastezrider]

Rios is -150. He's barely the favorite considering he has the locale advantage.

Never under estimate the advantage of "home cooking..." Pretty sure Sun Tzu wrote that in the Art of War...

[ikorolev]

It was a rough fight. Brandon comes straight in, head first, and throws. The fight should have just been left to play out. The ref seemed unable to handle what played out. It seemed that he gave Rios a point deduction to even up the score after he realized that he prematurely took a point away from Diego. Everyone was robbed tonight.

Rios wasn't. He was losing but got a W.

[Impractical Poster]

It was a rough fight. Brandon comes straight in, head first, and throws. The fight should have just been left to play out. The ref seemed unable to handle what played out. It seemed that he gave Rios a point deduction to even up the score after he realized that he prematurely took a point away from Diego. Everyone was robbed tonight.

Rios wasn't. He was losing but got a W.

If he was losing, it wasn't by much. A very close fight.

[kidbazooka1]

That was horrible by chaves his excessive holding and head butt was just too much. And what makes it worse was that he didn't need to do that.

Rios was doing some real good work aswell and looked like a killer on the inside but also lost on the outside.

I had Rios ahead by a two points in a close but.

Gotta give Rios props for that chin my god Chavez cracked him flush yet rios never budged those were the same shots that wobbled thurman a couple times.

[handsofstone]

That started off as a tasty little fight last night until the persistent fouling from both guys ruined it,especially Chaves,he was worse and deserved the DQ IMO,same way as Rios would have if he'd had 2 deductions by the time the ref interviened,the ref had to act otherwise it would have been worse,it just so happens the Diego got there first,TBH the actual stoppage was iffy but i think the ref just had enough,Chaves should have been DQ'd moments before with the wrestling takedown,you can see clear as day Chaves keeps hold of Brandon and actually flips him over,after the previous 2 points being took away the fight should have been scrapped there and then,i think the ref probably knew that,thats why it was a small infringement that finally ended it a second later

Stupid from Chaves as he was starting to box well on the outside and looked to be pulling away,i had him a round up at the end

[bigznyc]

I bet on chavez but he is at fault..holding and making faces the entire fight..the takedown I thought would end the bout..he is a headcase in the ring and I dont expect to see him much more in america.

[handsofstone]

The one thing i could maybe critisize Vik for is did he deduct points too early without a couple of real stern warnings or even bring both fighters to centre of the ring to give a dressing down?

Maybe but once the first point was deducted then there can be no more warnings just deductions and infact he could be critisized for being late with Chaves's DQ,with the wrasslin moves

[Badhusker]

Maybe just me, but anyone else see a pattern developing with some Robert Garcia trained fighters?
Victor Ortiz with the intentional head butt, Maidana's multiple fouls, and now Rios. Chavez could have been a little smarter and won by UD, but instead wanted to engage in the street brawl.
To me its one thing is there is an occasional foul, but when a trainer encourages dirty fighting as a strategy, he has lost it. I used to think Garcia was a good trainer. Not anymore. If they don't have the skill to compete, don't resort to breaking the rules. Refs and commissions need to address this more often than they do.

[Brut]

It would've been an upset if Rios would've beaten him, they saved Brandon by giving him that DQ.