Thursday on Twitter, I mentioned that a
possible fight between lightweight titleholder Brandon Rios and contender John
Molina Jr. was “close to a done deal for a main event on Showtime in L.A.
December 10.” That was not so much the case. Let me explain.
Right now, Rios is a fighter with
several options. After speaking to members of his camp, it turns out he has
about six possible opponents for two potential dates. Among them are Molina,
Kevin Mitchell, and Miguel Vazquez. The dates possible are the co-feature to
the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez rubber match November 12 and a
headlining date on Showtime December 10.
Showtime would love Rios-Molina Jr.,
from what I am told. Molina’s camp would love to fight Rios and from what I
understand, he has verbally agreed to terms.
The problem is that no contracts have
been signed and there are five other potential fighters who possibly would love
to fight Rios on either date.
As of Saturday morning, Rios had yet to
be officially offered one of these fights. What happened is that each opponent,
as a matter of protocol, has been offered the bout tentatively. The protocol
being that it’s important to know if each fighter’s manager, promoter, etc.
along with the fighters who are interested. Then and only then will Rios’
management and promotional team weigh the options and move forward.
While I am still hearing Showtime’s
interest as well as Molina Jr.’s, the fight is far from done. Rios has been in
camp and is readying himself for either date.
I should be
clear that Rios doesn’t care whom he fights. According to his team, he will
fight anyone. As it is a champ’s right, he will weigh his options. There is no
ducking or dodging here, just a young, undefeated fighter in the enviable
position of having some very good options.
