Roach picks Rios over Bradley

If his last fight was any indication, Brandon Rios may score an upset over favored American Timothy Bradley today in Las Vegas.

According to famed trainer Freddie Roach, Rios looked good when he stopped bitter rival Mike Alvarado in the third round last January in Colorado.

“First time I saw him really clean. You can say by his skin tone he took care of himself. He is a different fighter. If that guy comes out he will win again,” said Roach.

The 29-year-old Rios (33-2, 24 knockouts) will aim to snatch the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown from Bradley (32-1-1, 12 KO’) in their 12-round title fight at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Both Rios and Bradley were former foes of Roach’s top fighter Manny Pacquiao.

Bradley will enter the ring with a new trainer after replacing Joel Diaz with well-known strategist and TV analyst Teddy Atlas.

“Joel was on his phone half of the time when we were in training camp. So that’s a huge difference. No cell phones allowed in the gym,” said Bradley.

Meantime, promoter Bob Arum said only Bradley and not Rios may get the chance to fight Pacquiao April of next year.

“Rios can fight Canelo (Alvarez) if Canelo beats Cotto. I wouldn’t put Rios with Manny because Manny quite easily beat Rios last time they fought,” Arum told boxingnews24.com.

The Mexican Alvarez will square off with Cotto of Puerto Rico for the world middleweight title on November 21 in Las Vegas. (Dennis Principe)