pacquiao vs rios the plastic surgeons perspective 5f6220c3e802f
Las Vegas Plastic Surgery

By Dr. Jeffrey Roth

The “Clash in Cotai” (Macau, China) has all that you want in a mega event; drama, exotic location, a chance at redemption, fighting for devastated people, a tough as nails boxer on the rise.

As many of my patients, friends and blog readers know, I continue to be a huge fan of professional boxing. As a long-time Las Vegas resident, I have had the opportunity to attend a number of amazing fights, and as a physician I have been blessed with the privilege and honor to offer my medical expertise at many bouts as a post-fight plastic surgeon. I primarily tend to fighters associated with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Boxing. It truly has been a dream come true to combine my passion for boxing with my professional experience as a plastic surgeon. I have been fortunate with every opportunity I have had, as the fighters I have worked on have all been true champions.

The first fighter is Brandon “Bam-Bam” Rios (31-1-1, 23 KO’s). He fights out of Oxnard CA. He is the former WBA lightweight champion. He is often compared with the Mexican trio of Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez. He is tough as nails and some say as close as we have seen to the Late Arturo Gotti in a while. His style is a crowd pleasing straight forward, “you hit me then I’ll hit you” style. His last two fights against Mike “Mile High” Alvarado were classics.

Their first fight was in my opinion the fight of the year. At the time both fighters were undefeated and fought toe-to-toe for seven thrilling rounds. There were many notable parts of the fight. One was when the two fighters stood forehead pressed against forehead slugging it out “rock’em-sock’em robots” style. Here was the most outstanding thing for me, (and Compubox confirms), there was not one clinch the entire fight. Rios defeated Alvarado with a KO in the seventh round. The rematch was also a classic. In fact, Timothy Bradley was sitting near me at that fight. He stated that this was the fight of the year. Two HBO executives turned around and asked, “Did you see your fight with Provodnikov?” (Which was also epic). Bradley said, “Yes, I watched the tape. This one is better.” Alvarado defeated Rios this time. Rios knows that this is his chance to cement himself an elite fighter. He has been training hard, and enjoying the international publicity tour. He assures all who will listen, that he will be more than ready on fight night.

Across the ring stands Filipino Congressman Manny Pacquiao. (54-5-2, 38 KO’s). This boxing legend is a true octuple champion with a record eight titles in eight different weight classes. Pacquiao’s last two fights resulted in losses. First, a controversial loss to Bradley, followed by getting knocked out by his long time adversary Marquez. Some will ask if Manny was affected by the brutal KO. I can tell you, when I checked on him in the locker room post fight, he matter-of-factly said that, “I am a boxer, and these things happen. I’m fine, and I’ll be back.” He continues to give that answer. He also says that we will again see the “hungry and focused Manny,” shrugging off any questions about distractions. On the subject of distractions, the devastation of parts of his country has actually seemed to inspire him to work even harder. He knows that he needs to win this fight to continue to be relevant at the elite levels of boxing.

The contest itself should be one for the ages. A young straight ahead fighter/brawler against an experienced boxer with speed and power. The fight itself may be very close. The intangibles favor Pacquiao. He is accustomed to the big stage, and this time his homeland is only 90 minutes away. There should be an overwhelming Filipino fan presence. The trainers are both excellent, but again the edge to Pacquiao with Hall of Famer Freddie Roach in the corner. The other intangible is focus. Who will be able to despise with the work at hand while in the ring? We will see in Macau.

The setting can be a story within itself. The Venetian Macau has become a gambling Mecca. The place is huge, with 25,000 employees, 600 shops, and a 17,000 seat arena. Top Rank Boxing’s CEO Bob Arum has vision of the future of boxing, and it is looking towards the east.

One of the reasons for so much interest rests in the fists of Zou Shiming (2-0-0) From Gui Zhou, China. He is a two time Olympic Gold medalist. He has had an outstanding amateur career and is off to a great start professionally. He will be fighting a talented and more experienced Juan “Pollo” Toscano (4-0, 1 KOs) from Ensenada, Mexico. This should also be a crowd pleaser.

Also of interest is the fights will occur in the morning on Sunday in Macau so that they can be presented live in prime time in the United States and Mexico. Some will say that this will be the most watched boxing card in history, owing to the many millions watching in China.

It should be a phenomenal event.

I hope that no one will need the services of a plastic surgeon after the fight.

Best wishes to all the fighters. I can’t wait for the bell…

Jeffrey J. Roth, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Las Vegas Plastic Surgery
(702) 450-0777
www.jjrothmd.com

Comments are closed.

Contact