Bum? No bulldozer, says Rios

MACAU - Brandon Rios brushed off the boos from a large contingent of Manny Pacquiao fans at Saturday's weigh-in at the Cotai Arena, then promised to give them something to really be upset about in today's 12-round welterweight clash.

The brash American said he will silence his doubters in style after the pair successfully came inside the 67kg limit at the first attempt.

"Everyone is underestimating me - no one is giving me a chance in this fight - but I am a live dog in there," declared the 27-year-old Texan.

"Pacquiao doesn't realise what is coming but I know what I am going to do to him.

"Soon, I will be able to show people and his fans are going to be shocked. I am going to be like a bulldozer and will go straight through him.

"I have been called a bum and a fat loser but that has just fired me up even more."

Rios' big talk did not impress his Filipino rival who naturally dismissed it as nonsense before thanking his supporters for such a raucous reception at the venue inside The Venetian integrated resort.

"I have heard a lot of talk leading up to the fight but none of that matters any more," said the 34-year-old, who is trying to rebuild his career after a knockout defeat by Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez last December.

"We fight soon and then we will see what happens.

"I'm just really pleased to see all the people who have come out to support me.

"I'm so happy and excited and want to put on a good show for them."

Fears of a confrontation between the two camps - after an altercation earlier in the week between rival trainers Freddie Roach and Robert Garcia - proved to be unfounded and the event passed without incident.

The bulk of Saturday's 1,500-strong crowd were clearly in support of the Filipino power puncher who won world titles across eight weight divisions before his fall from grace.

The stoppage loss against Marquez - when he was knocked unconscious - came hot on the heels of a disputed points defeat by American Timothy Bradley.

One particularly vocal group Saturday had a banner reading: "War, Earthquake, Typhoon - The Philippines will rise again." Boxing fans will find out today if Pacquiao can do the same.

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