Rios risks unbeaten record in title shot against Acosta

Unbeaten Brandon Rios is convinced the time has arrived to take the next step in his boxing career.

The top-rated lightweight contender from Oxnard, Calif., gets his shot at a title tonight at the Palms when he faces WBA champion Miguel Acosta in a 12-round main event to be shown live on Showtime.

Rios is ready for his close-up, if his most recent fights are any indication.

On Sept. 11 at the Palms, the 24-year-old withstood a series of low blows by Anthony Peterson and showed great maturity by not retaliating. Rios won by disqualification.

Most recently, Rios stopped Omri Lowther in the fifth round Nov. 13 at Cowboys Stadium on the Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito undercard. Rios dominated a fight he had taken on eight days' notice.

Now Rios (26-0-1, 19 knockouts) gets his big chance against Acosta (28-3-2, 22 KOs), a 32-year-old veteran who knows all the tricks and whose awkward style can frustrate opponents.

"I feel I've definitely matured in my last two fights," Rios said. "I trained very hard (to fight) Peterson, and I've trained even harder for (Acosta). I expect a tough fight, and we've prepared for anything he might do. If he holds, if he runs, we're ready."

Rios' trainer, Robert Garcia, has watched the fighter grow up in the ring.

"He's putting in the time in the gym, working hard," Garcia said. "He listens better. His attention to detail is better. You used to have to stay on top of him and make sure he got his work done. Not anymore.

"Two years ago, I wouldn't have dreamed of asking (manager) Cameron Dunkin to get us a title fight. But Brandon has earned his shot. He's ready to be a champion."

Rios said he also is maturing outside the ring. He was criticized by many in the sport after taking part in a video with Garcia and Margarito a few days before Margarito's fight with Pacquiao. In the video, Rios mocks Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, who has Parkinson's disease.

It was an ill-advised attempt to bring levity to what had been an intense training camp for Margarito, and Rios came out looking bad for his participation.

"It was a low blow, and we were disqualified," Rios said, using a boxing analogy to describe his poor judgment. "I hope people will know me for more than that and see that deep down I'm a good person. I have a younger brother who is a special needs person, and I wouldn't want someone making fun of him.

"I made a mistake. I've learned from it, and I'm moving forward."

Since competing at the U.S. Olympic trials in 2004, Rios has developed into a hard-working, hard-hitting professional who is getting better with each fight.

"I think I've showed the world I'm not a joke, that I can take care of business," said Rios, a minus-180 favorite at the Palms' sports book. Acosta is plus-160.

The fact he has yet to lose while taking on tougher competition is an indication of his growth inside the ring.

"A lot of times being undefeated can hurt you," Garcia said. "In Brandon's case, not losing has motivated him. He does not want to lose."

■ NOTES -- Rios and Acosta made the 135-pound limit at Friday's weigh-in, each coming in at 134½. ... The undercard, which features local featherweight Jesse Magdaleno, Las Vegas super lightweight Anthony Lenk and light heavyweight Mike Lee, begins at 5 p.m. The main event is scheduled for around 7:45.

Contact sports reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.