Brandon Rios: I Think It’s Time for Me To Hang Up The Gloves

“Nobody thought I would make it as far as I did” -Brandon Rios

Following a KO loss to Timothy Bradley this past Saturday night in Las Vegas, 29 year-old Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios announced his retirement. A body shot put Rios down in the ninth round and while he was able to beat the count and continue, he was clearly done. A follow up flurry put the Oxnard fighter down a second time and prompted the stoppage. It was the first and only time Rios had been stopped.

“I had a wonderful career but I think It’s time to hang up the gloves” said an emotional Rios during the post fight press conference “I’m not giving it my all and I’m not going to fool myself. I don’t want to come in here and get beat up. I made good money in boxing and I’ve been smart with my money. I love the sport and it’s hard to turn my back on it but when it’s time to hang it up, it’s time to hang it up.”

Rios struggled to make weight for the 12 round welterweight fight and admitted that he struggled to get back in the gym following an 8 month layoff.

“In the gym, it was very hard for me to get back active.” Rios said “when it’s done, it’s done. You listen to your body and I listened to my body and it’s over with. My body wasn’t doing what I wanted it to. The trigger, nothing was the same. I tried to pull the trigger but couldn’t let it go and that’s why I said it’s time to hang them up”

Rios ends his career, for now with a solid 33 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw. 24 wins come by way of KO.