Rios – Though you’ve fought twice in Mexico, the majority of your professional fights have been in the US. Why fight in Macau now? Why this point in your career? Do you feel Pacquiao has an advantage?
When I was first told I was going to fight in Aguascalientes, Mexico against Ricardo Dominguez, I got a bit nervous but I always had that mentality that my dad taught me, I am a fighter and I will fight anywhere no matter whose backyard I am at. With Dominguez I won by split decision which didn’t make me popular there but I know I won that fight and there was that chance a judge could be biased. With Dominguez though I won by KO so that proved to them I was the real deal. The fights I had in Mexico were great, because I got the opportunity to beat the hometown guys in their state, in their country in Mexico. Both Ricardo Dominguez and Daniel Valenzuela were the hometown heroes and I came to their town and beat them. So why not fight in Macau? It’s my opportunity on a big stage to fight one of the best, Manny Pacquiao, so of course I’m going to take the opportunity. I really don’t care where the fight takes place. I am a fighter, who wants to fight. Remember this, I am not fighting the crowd, I am fighting Manny Pacquiao.
As far Manny Pacquiao having the advantage, yeah I think he does have the hometown advantage and most of the crowd might be rooting for him, but don’t rule me out. When I was in China for the press tour this past summer, I visited Macau, Beijing, Shanghai and Singapore. During that time I noticed I had a lot of fans in China, more than I even imagined. Those who weren’t fans became fans during the tour. Not only in China but everywhere I always make time with my fans, in person and through the social media, because at the end of the day, I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for my fans. They got me here, my fans and my haters, thanks to them both. So I think they see that I appreciate them and they support me for that reason. I get messages, comments and tweets from my fans in China even fans ordering Bam Bam gear waiting for November to go support me. So I think once that day comes November 23 in Macau, the fans will be divided. Some will support Manny Pacquiao and some will support me.
If Manny Pacquiao feels he has an advantage, he will change his way of thinking when he feels my punch. He’s going to start thinking, “Awww man, I remember when Juan Manuel Marquez hit me like this!” Therefore I believe he will change his way of thinking but it will be too late because when I’m there and I give him the first punch, I’m going to start doing what I do best. Fight, give it my all, balls out like I always do for my fans. I leave my heart in the ring. There he will realize he did not have the advantage. This is not Pacquiao’s fight it’s Pacquaio vs. Rios and I will let the world know that on November 23rd.
FACE OFF WITH MAX KELLERMAN: PACQUIAO/RIOS debuts Saturday, Nov. 2 at 12:15 a.m. ET/PT on HBO.
Pacquiao vs. Rios takes place Saturday, Nov. 23 live on PAY-PER-VIEW beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
