Rios Conquers Acosta with 10th Round KO

There are many schools of thought when it comes to matchmaking in boxing but in our minds one fact remains unassailable: any attractive fight requires at least one fighter more concerned about dealing damage than sustaining it.

Without someone willing to advance the action you end up with a farce like last month’s Devon Alexander-Tim Bradley snoozefest. Which is why Brandon Rios probably made himself a lot of money with his 10th round stoppage of WBA titlist Miguel Acosta Saturday night at the Palms.

“Bam Bam” withstood a stiff challenge from a world-class boxer in his first true championship test and emerged the better man. Rios (27-0, 20 KOs) overcame an early boxing clinic from the slick Venezuelan, showing off an iron chin and the determination to continue his assault despite sustaining heavy fire from Acosta (28-4-2, 22 KOs).

Acosta looked to be too much too soon for him initially, but Rios refused to back off and his pressure began to affect Acosta in the middle rounds. A heavy left hook followed by a short left dropped Acosta in the sixth, turning momentum towards Rios. After a Acosta appeared to weather the storm Rios dropped him again the ninth as his power began to assert itself.

Rios spent the tenth peppering Acosta on the ropes, unperturbed by the numerous punches offered in return. A final combination sparked by a straight right sent Acosta spinning into the arms of his cornermen and Bam Bam screeching his victory call.

Rios is the rarest gem in the sport: an American fighter who comes forward with the power to end bouts early and the chin to stand up to first-class opposition. His future seems endlessly bright; any number of fights with other lightweight contenders would thrill fans and make for an attractive Pay Per View undercard.

But with Bob Arum holding the reins the danger is wasting his prime on a series of heavily promoted but ultimately non-competitive showpieces against underwhelming opposition in the Top Rank stable. Here’s hoping that’s not what happens.

On Showtime’s other televised bout Antonio DeMarco outpointed Reyes Sanchez to earn himself the meaningless distinction of being the WBC mandatory challenger at lightweight. Doubtless this means more money for someone south of the border. Call us if DeMarco beats any of the numerous lightweights actually considered contenders by close followers of the sport.