Breaking news: Rios' hand apparently not broken after all

Brandon Rios’ right hand apparently isn't broken after all.

Doctors initially believed that the new lightweight titleholder broke his hand in his victory over Miguel Acosta on Saturday in Las Vegas. Rios said he felt something pop in the eighth round, two rounds before he scored a sensational knockout.

However, a hand specialist in Los Angeles, who performed an ultrasound, told Rios that it appears the hand was not broken.

“The doctor said he can’t tell for sure because the hand is so swollen,” said Cameron Dunkin, Rios’ manager. “The doctor thinks he just dislocated a joint and fluid came out, which caused the swelling. So it looks like he won’t have a cast for now.

“The Nevada Commission doctor was convinced it was broke. This guy says he doesn’t think so. We’ll know more when the swelling goes down.”

The fate of Rios hand will determine when he will be able to fight again.

Dunkin said promoter Bob Arum pitched Marco Antonio Barrera as a potential next opponent for Rios but Dunkin isn’t crazy about that idea.

He said Rios is extremely sore after his hard-fought victory. Thus, he would rather the fighter not engage in back-to-back wars, which he believes might be the case if he fights Barrera.

“Brandon is going to need some rest,” Dunkin said. “I’d like to get him a regular fight with somebody, get him a title defense. Barrera is very tough fight, believe me. He still knows how to box. For three, four rounds, he’d be trouble too. I think Brandon would get to him eventually with his power and strength but the early going could be tough, just like the Acosta fight.

“I don’t want another long, brutal fight like the last one. I want to let his body recuperate. Then he’ll be ready for the Barrera type.”