Las Vegas, NV — Fresh off his victory in New Orleans, Brandon “The Ripper” Rhodes is wasting no time getting back on stage. At Power Slap 15, he’ll welcome debutant Trenton Bordeaux to the middleweight division in a matchup that blends experience with fresh blood.
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A Veteran Welcoming a Newcomer
With five matches already under his belt, Rhodes has proven himself to be one of the most battle-tested athletes in the league. His toughness and willingness to trade have made him a fan favorite. But instead of a high-profile veteran clash, Rhodes will be tasked with welcoming Bordeaux — the younger brother of current champion Brandon Bordeaux — to Power Slap.
“I was originally supposed to fight John Davis, but that didn’t work out,” Rhodes explained. “Trenton’s a newcomer, but he’s got the tools and the pedigree. If he wins, his hype train goes up. If he loses, well, he’s supposed to lose. Either way, it’s a win-win for Power Slap.”
Respect for the Bordeaux Legacy
Rhodes has studied Trenton’s style and expects a game that closely mirrors his brother’s.
“I think it’s going to look pretty identical for the most part,” Rhodes said. “They train together, same coaches, same system. I just hope he has a chin like his brother. At the end of the day, I want him to do good because it makes the division more competitive.”
Adjusting on Short Notice
Rhodes was originally preparing for a later fight at Power Slap 16, but when the matchup shifted, he had to speed up his training camp.
“It definitely shrunk my camp,” Rhodes admitted. “I took off work early, flew back from offshore, and got to it. With John Davis, I wasn’t too worried about the power. With Trenton, I know he’s going to be stronger, so I had to prepare differently.”
A Toughness Forged in Fire
Known for his durability, Rhodes has survived foul trouble and hard shots throughout his Power Slap career, yet continues to evolve with every match.
“Every camp makes me better,” he said. “I can’t wait until Power Slap gets to the point where guys can do this full time. That’s when you’ll see the competition really explode. But for me, the more I train, the better I get — and you’re going to see that at Power Slap 15.”
Looking Toward the Future of the Sport
Rhodes believes the growth of Power Slap is on track, but he sees more opportunities on the horizon.
“The top guys who are dominating right now are the ones training full time,” Rhodes said. “For the rest of us, we’re balancing jobs with this. If the pay scale continues to grow and we can focus 100% on Power Slap, the matches, the live events, everything is just going to get better. I think in two years we’ll be there.”
Sending a Message to Bordeaux
Rhodes didn’t hold back when asked what he wanted to say to Trenton directly.
“I hope you’re built like your brother, because if you don’t have a chin, we’re going to find out in the first round. If you do, you’re going out in the third. Either way, I’m going to make sure of that. But it’s going to be a good match, and I hope you do well. We need more competition in this division.”
What to Expect Fight Night
Fans tuning in can expect the very best version of “The Ripper” yet.
“You’re going to see a cleaner match than my past ones,” Rhodes promised. “Less movement, more fireworks, big slaps — and whether I get knocked down or not, I’m going to get up and put my opponent on the ground. It’s always going to be a show when I’m up there.”