Who's excited? "Filipino Flash" Nonito Donaire is about to battle Japan's Toshiaki Nishioka in this much anticipated face-off between the Super Bantamweight division's best fighters!
Meanwhile, Rios and Alvarado are inside the ring before the main event
Carlos Cinco here live blogging for the Donaire-Nishioka event at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California
Up next: Brandon Rios (30-0-1, 22KO) vs Mike Alvarado (33-0, 23KO)
Two undefeated KO artists going up against each other now. Someone's "O" has gotta go! Let's get going!
This should be an awesome fight. Both fighters are definitely not known for their defense. It's going to be a fist fight from start to finish.
Round 1: Alvarado lands a good counter left, rocks Rios a bit. Rios answers back with a good left hook of his own. Alvarado with a good combination.
Alvarado controlling the tempo. Rios has some good moments but Alvarado is boxing well.
Rios is a real banger. Just uses his strength to try to run Alvarado over.
Great first round but I gotta give it slightly to Alvarado for controlling the tempo more.
Lots of intensity in the first round alone! Remember the Rios-Alvarado fight is a 10-rounder, not a 12-rounder
Round 2: Rios still stalking, keeping his head on the chest of Alvarado. Just ripping hard shots right now. Alvarado answers. It's a fan-friendly fight. BOOOOOM! Alvarado lands a hard shot!
Rappler gives the first round to Alvarado although judging from Twitter alone, analysts are split on who to give that round to. Others give Rios a slight edge
Rios just keeps fighting back. Alvarado just letting it go right now! Straight right! Huge uppercut lands for Alvarado!
Rios is a machine. He just keeps punching and punching! Wow nice left hook on the inside by Rios!
I think Rios steals the round with those hard shots at the end. Round to Rios.
Now this is what you call a fight! Rios and Alvarado duking it out! No feeling out for these two -- straight to the action!
Round 3: Alvarado sticking the jab in Rios' face. Rios just wants to bang. Pure brawler. Alvarado is busier, throws more and lands more.
This will come down to who's got a better chin. Alvarado stuns Rios with a left cross.
Rappler scorecard so far: Rios 19 - Alvarado 19. We have it even after Round 2
Rios lands a big left. Straight right by Alvarado stuns Rios again. Wow! These guys have great beards on them. Amazing
Round to Alvarado. Landed more, stunned Rios on numerous occasions. I can't imagine this fight going the distance at this pace.
Rios SMILES after getting hit by Alvarado
Rios is smiling but that's usually a sign that he got hurt. Let's go! Round 4!
Rappler scorecard, end of round 3: Alvarado - 29, Rios - 28
From @HBOboxing: Through three rounds, HBO PunchZone has Rios landing 83 punches, Alvarado 67.
Alvarado prancing around, playing some defense. Alvarado rips a hard shot to Rios. Rios looks tired with his mouth hanging open. Rios starting to land harder shots. Looks to take this round.
Nice left by Alvarado followed by a good combination! BOOOOM
What a fight!!! Both fighters giving everything they got! Round slightly to Rios. But good end moment there from Alvarado.
If this goes to the cards, it's going to be very close. There's no way anyone can score a fight like this!
Round 5: Rios attempting to box, throwing some jabs from the outside. Right hand by Alvarado shocks Rios! Wow! Another right!
Very close round! Alvarado face is swelling! Rappler has it even after Round 4: 38-38
Rios! What a chin! Anyone else and they would've kissed the canvas already. Shoulder to shoulder in-fighting. It's all action!
Wooooooow! What a combination from Alvarado!!!
Alvarado is going for broke! So is Rios! What a round! Craaaaazy!!!
Rios looks really groggy. Round to Alvarado for 2 great combination sets!
Round 6: Alvarado smells blood, rips a straight right hand down the middle, knocks Rios' head backwards. Another right wobbles Rios' head.
Crowd in favor of Rios but Alvarado is winning this round.
What an exchange! Wow! Rappler has it 48-47 for Alvarado after Round 5
From @HBOBoxing: Through 5, Rios has landed 118 punches to 138 from Alvarado, according to HBO PunchZone.
After Round 5, fight is halfway done.
Alvarado lands another big shot! Rios answers with some good uppercuts. Wild shot from Rios lands!!!! Staggers Alvarado!!!
What amazing heart by Rios! I think Rios steals that round with that huge shot! Round to Rios!
Who's excited? "Filipino Flash" Nonito Donaire is about to battle Japan's Toshiaki Nishioka in this much anticipated face-off between the Super Bantamweight division's best fighters!
Carlos Cinco here live blogging for the Donaire-Nishioka event at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California