Fight Review: Rios v Alvarado, Donaire v Nishioka

In a 'Fight of the Year' candidate, Brandon Rios defeated previously undefeated Mike Alvarado via 7th round TKO.  These two warriors gave the fans what they wanted and what they expected.  From the get-go, Rios and Alvarado traded shots with back and forth action.  Rios engaged in the maylay while provoking Alvarado with a closed quarters brawl.  Alvarado tried to outbox Rios with utilizing his jab and following through with power punches to the head.  The fight was headed to epic proportions when Rios rocked Alvarado with hard shots to the head that forced referee Pat Russell to jump in and put a halt to the action packed brawl.  Maybe it would have helped Alvarado to take an eight count, but these two fighters have to much pride to hit the canvas on purpose, and that may have helped put an end to Alvarado's night.  Nevertheless, Rios v Alvarado was truly an instant classic, perhaps these two can do it again in the near future.  

In the main event of Saturdays bouts in Carson California, Nonito Donaire TKO'd Tokiashi Nishioka in the 9th round.  Donaire swept the 1st half of the fight as Nishioka seemed timid to engage Donaire.  It took a 6th round knockdown of Nishioka to knock some 'fight' into him, from that point on, Nishioka would engage Donaire into a quite entertaining fight.  Donaire proved to be too much for Nishioka as he would score a 9th round TKO.