Rianna Rios believes she is the best fighter in the bantamweight division – and she wants a title shot to prove it. 

Rios, now 10-0 (2 KOs), stopped Wendellin Cruz in the third round Saturday at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas. The bout streamed on ProBox TV.

Rios, a 30-year-old who trains in the Washington, D.C., area at NoXcuse Boxing with Lamont Roach Snr, earned the second knockout of her career. Cruz was forced to retreat and even turned away from Rios as she closed the show. Rios, who is ranked No. 3 by the WBA, is now hoping to get a title shot. 

“I just want to prove what I already know: that I am the best fighter in my division,” Rios told BoxingScene. “A title eliminator or title shot would be great.”

Rios, who spoke to BoxingScene on Monday, is taking one day off before starting camp. Though she doesn’t have her next bout lined up, Rios passionately spoke of her pride in professionalism and staying ready in case a fight comes up. 

Rios, who is originally from Alice, Texas, won 12 national titles as an amateur. The road to those achievements was much simpler than in the pros. She admits that her possibly not being vocal and not being a big talker could be the only hindrance to getting a big fight. 

“I don’t call people out; maybe that is my downfall,” Rios said. “No one beats me, and maybe it is my fault for not speaking up and calling people out. It has never been me, and I don’t think I am going to start now.” 

Rios’ ability to trash-talk does come out, however, when speaking of a fighter she previously beat, Brittany Sims. Sims is currently ranked No. 2 by the WBA. Rios won a unanimous decision over Sims in February 2023 and can’t understand why she is ranked behind her.

“That’s bullshit. I beat her already,” Rios said. “That is the shit I am talking about, the politics of the sport. I shut her out, it wasn’t even close [Note: All three judges scored the fight 59-55]. I believe she came in four pounds overweight. We still took the fight. How she is ahead of me? I have no idea.”

Rios’ victory this past weekend against Cruz, now 6-18-1 (1 KO), provided a suitable stay-busy fight. Rios recalled Cruz avoiding her at the end of the fight. 

“When I saw her turn around, I knew she didn’t want to fight anymore,” Rios said. “I threw punches to make the referee stop. I knew she was trying to survive, but I got her out of there.”