On November 23, Brandon Rios will face on his most challenging foe of his career, former 8 division world champion Manny Pacquiao. Brandon is coming off a world wide press tour to promote what will be one of the biggest fights of the year, now with that behind him, he is gearing up and starting preparations for the November 23rd showdown.

In part 1 of this 2 part interview, Brandon reflects on his experiences on the press tour, giving his thoughts on Manny Pacquiao the person, and as fighter. Rios also addresses some of the tension the tour between him and Pacquiao's adviser, Michael Koncz. Additionally "BAM BAM" talks about the perception the he is tailor made for Pacquiao, and discusses how he thinks weight will play a factor in the fight. Here is what Brandon Rios had say.

Jenna J: Hey Brandon, you recently came off of a press tour with Manny Pacquiao. You were flown all the way around the world, how did things go for it?

Brandon Rios: Oh man it was nice, seeing a different part of the world I had never seen before. It was great to be a part of that, it was nice, you can’t ask for more. It’s like a paid vacation. China was pretty wicked, it was very nice to see China, to be on one of the eight wonders of the world, the Great Wall of China, now I can say I’ve been on there, I took pictures of it. It was a lifetime experience, I had never had a chance to ever do, so now I can say I’ve done it.

Jenna: Alright well being on that tour you got to know Manny Pacquiao pretty well. You’re gonna have to mix it up with him obviously when you meet with him in November. What do you think of Manny as a person?

Rios: Well honestly we really didn’t mix it up, we didn’t really talk or anything because you know me, I like to respect my opponents. The only time we’ve seen each other we just say “Hi” or “Bye” that was it, we didn’t sit down and have a conversation. I know that Manny Pacquiao never talks smack, he’s really religious, he’s never done that before. So I wasn’t expecting anything more, I kept to myself and he kept to himself. It was just one of those things where nobody talks smack to each other.

Jenna: Well no one’s really talked smack to each other but you did during the press tour have a little bit of a problem with his advisor, Michael Koncz. What was the problem with him?

Rios: Well Michael Koncz he tried to stir shit up, “Michael Cunt” that’s what I call him, he tried to stir some shit up but it didn’t really get too far because I think Pacquiao told him to shut up or whatever. He tried to start some shit, the first I think it was in Macau, he tried to start some shit up but it didn’t happen. He tried to but he didn’t succeed too far because they know I’m not shy of talking so I think that’s why Pacquiao told him to shut up. We’ll fight in the ring, that’s what we’ll do.

Jenna: Ok well someone who’s been very vocal has been Freddie Roach. I talked to him on one of my more recent shows and he says that he knows the perfect game plan to beat Brandon Rios, says it shouldn’t be a problem. What do you think about his confidence going into the fight with you?

Rios: That’s good, it’s always good to have confidence when you go into a fight. I’m very confident myself, if they feel like that it’s ok but I’m just telling you, November 23rd they got something coming to them. They think it’s gonna be an easy night for Pacquiao and that it’s gonna be something simple, November 23rd they’re gonna find something out different cause I’m gonna be ready 100%.

Jenna: Alright let me ask you about that Brandon, the perception out there if you listen to boxing fans, they say “Brandon Rios, he can’t duck a punch and he has no defense, Pacquiao’s speed and power is gonna pick him apart.” What do you think of the perception fans have going into this fight, they way people are receiving you?

Rios: Well that just shows you how much they know boxing because if they really pay attention to boxing then they would know that I do got a great defense. I hardly come out of the ring all marked up and bruised up. So I do have a good defense, I block a lot of shots, it’s boxing, you get hit every once in a while but what can you do about it?

But you know at the end of the day I don’t really care what people think about me, it don’t bother me. I just go in there and shut em up and show them that they’re fucking stupid. So I just go in there and shut everyone up again you know, they doubt me once and look what happens.

If they doubt me again I’m gonna show these guys how they’re retarded. Cause everyone thinks I’m tailor made for Pacquiao but we’re gonna see, all I know is I’ll be ready 100% physically and mentally ready and I’m just gonna surprise the world and give Manny and the world a different taste of my medicine.

Jenna: Alright well you said physically, I mean when you look at the press tour, there’s a physical difference between you and Pacquiao. You are a far bigger guy, you’re just thicker, just a naturally bigger fighter. Even though he’s been fighting at the weight class that’s higher than you, going into this fight, do you think you will be the bigger stronger guy?

Rios: Definitely I think that’s gonna be one of the big things too because I am way bigger than Pacquiao and yes I’m gonna be comfortable fighting at 147 lbs I know I was supposed to fight at 140 but the last 2-3 pounds is not gonna kill me, it won’t be a factor, so 147 is gonna be a great opportunity for me, I’m gonna feel very strong at 147 lbs. My walking around weight is at 155 so it’s not gonna be hard to make 147. I’m probably about 159-160 right now.

Jenna: Well what do you expect yourself to weigh on fight night? Obviously you’re gonna get down to 147 lbs but when you step in the ring what do you expect yourself to weigh?

Rios: Honestly I don’t really know to tell you the truth, probably around 150 lbs, every time the next day I never go higher than 150 lbs but I know I’m just gonna be an animal when it’s time to fight. I’m always confident but after the next day I think I’m gonna feel even better because I usually make 140 lbs but I have to suck up too much. I don’t have to kill myself so the next day I’m gonna be even stronger. I’m gonna be really, really strong.

STAY TUNED TO WWW.OTRBOXINGRADIO.COM FOR PART 2 OF MY INTERVIEW WITH BRANDON RIOS
Click play on the audio player to listen to the Mike Tyson interview in its entirety. - "On The Ropes", with Jenna J.