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Mauricio Herrera on Rios, Abril, Khan v Garcia and Alvarado rematch

Phil D. Jay 
WBN Editor
Californian ready for biggest test

140lb contender Mauricio Herrera is gearing up to attempt to end Brandon Rios’ unbeaten record on July 7th and told WBN that the former lightweight champion should already have a loss on his record to Richard Abril.

The 32 year-old fought a mammoth battle in one of the fights of the year so far against Mike Alvarado last month and his reward is to be Rios’ first opponent at the light-welterweight limit.

Herrera believes that he is catching his fellow-Californian at the right time on the back of his worst performance and is confident of moving on to a world title fight in the near future.

“I think Rios will be just as tough as Alvarado, but I will be sharper, faster and will hold the better foot work. I feel I will out-work Rios and take the victory,” Herrera told World Boxing News.

“I do think Rios lost the Abril fight and I believe that Richard exposed him, something I will match and the hopefully move on to a rematch with Alvarado, which I would love.

“I feel the first fight was close so we need to do it again and then the winner of Amir Khan v Danny Garcia would interest me as I know I can give a great show in any world title fight and come out on top.

He went on: “Before they were matched, I was hopeful of challenging Garcia, but I’ll take the Rios fight as it will get me more known to the fans and put me closer to a shot at a 140lb champion.

“I think Khan can take it and then I must fight fight him for those belts. There are a lot of tough fighters in the 140lb division, but I am up for the challenge so let’s make the matches that the people want to see.

“Thank you Phil and thanks to all the fans.”

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