Skip to main content

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.”

Popular posts from this blog

WBN Remembers: "Gypsy Boy" Ernie Smith

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor  (picure by boxrec.com)  After almost a year and a half without one of boxing’s great journeymen, World Boxing News is looking back at the 161-fight career of Worcestershire warrior Ernie Smith, concentrating on his contribution in the ring, rather than the tragic way his life ended out of it. Smith turned professional at super-featherweight in 1998 at the Park Hall Hotel in Wolverhampton, losing a six rounder against Welshman Woody Greenaway.  One month later, Ernie was thrown in with an unknown prospect by the name of Gavin Rees (former world champion and current British Lightweight Champion) who he also took the distance over four rounds. The “Gypsy Boy” then managed to string together a four fight unbeaten run together in early 1999 and ended the year winning five out of his twelve contests, but by this time had already delved into the journeyman pool of boxers with a record of 5-8-1. After settling at the welterweight limit, Ernie ga...

Ashley Theophane talks US return, Ricky Burns sparring and future fights

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Treasure’ training for August 24 return Former British light-welterweight champion Ashley Theophane is aiming to put the disappointment of his loss to Darren Hamilton behind him when he makes his comeback in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 24. The 31 year-old, who has fought some of the top fighters between 140 and 154lbs, planned to take 18 months out of chasing his world title dream to win a British Lonsdale belt outright and just fell short with points defeat to Hamilton in May after making two defences. The Londoner is now returning to the US to re-establish his headline status on American soil. He fights for the 38th time in his career against an opponent yet to be named at NC Music Factory’s Reelworks Studios and is currently preparing to get back to winning ways. “Training has gone well for this fight. I've been in the gym for nearly nine weeks so I'm in great shape and ready to go,” Theophane told World Boxing News. ...

Soccer star Tim Cahill’s cousin Jai Opetaia, 16, spars Danny Green

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor (Picture from The Brisbane Times) Youngster shares ring with IBO champ Jai Opetaia, cousin of Everton Football Club’s star soccer player Tim Cahill, is a sixteen year-old amateur fighter who is deep in preparations for the forthcoming world youth championships.  Recently the youngster was given the opportunity to spar with Australia’s IBO world light-heavyweight champion Danny Green as he prepares to take on Antonio Tarver and gain valuable experience before his trip to Europe. Opetaia, who hails from Watanobbi, has already taken former world champion Anthony Mundine a few rounds in sparring and has added another world renowned boxer to the list in 38 year-old Green. The Australian amateur team departs for the championships in Kazakhstan this Tuesday and Opetaia thinks the gym time with the Aussie boxing starts will stand him in good stead as he looks to claim gold at the under 80kg category. “It feels pretty special,” Opetaia told the Central ...