World Boxing News 2010-2013

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Interim champion ready for anyone at 135 Top lightweight contender Richard Abril is not too disappointed at the recent withdrawal of scheduled opponent Sharif Bogere for their November 24 contest and will gladly await a new date for their WBA interim title fight. The 30 year-old, who hasn’t fought since losing a debatable decision to Brandon Rios in April, is likely to have to wait a few more weeks for the bout to be rescheduled as Bogere suffered a tear in his Achilles, but that wont bother Abril, according to manager Alex Medina. “I think Bogere is scared and looking for more time to train,” Medina told World Boxing News. “The problem is that Richard will get faster and stronger at 135 with more time. Richard says his sure Mr Bogere or ‘TheLion?’ is scared, but we will do our job, train hard and fight whoever they put in front of us. “I think we all know Abril is not scared of anybody.” Abril himself then added: “We will be ok. I...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Interim champion awaits next test US-based Cuban Richard Abril has told WBN that he is ready to take on whoever necessary to win the vacant WBA title after losing out to Brandon Rios controversially in his last bout two months ago. The 29 year-old interim champion lost a close split decision to ‘Bam Bam’ in a contest that many (including me: 117-112) thought he did enough to win, and Abril is now ready to fight the next contender in line for the belt in August. “I want everyone to know that I am training harder than ever before,” Abril told World Boxing News. “I feel great. I have been in camp for about two weeks already and can’t wait to fight for the WBA belt again. “I don’t know who I will face yet but I do know that the fight will probably take place in August.” Abril has suffered three defeats in his 21-fight career, all to undefeated fighters and all on split decisions. He retained his interim status after the Rios defeat u...

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor Cuban out-boxes ‘Bam Bam’ in Vegas A classy Richard Abril should be celebrating becoming the WBA lightweight champion following an assured performance against former title holder Brandon Rios at the Mandalay Bay Hotel. The 29 year-old, who was the only fighter who could claim the belt as Rios failed to make 135lbs yet again, totally out-boxed a sluggish Rios for at least eight rounds to take the fight 117-112 on my scorecard. How judges Jerry Roth (116-112) and Glenn Trowbridge (115-113) saw the contest for Rios is beyond belief and is only doing a dis-service to boxing as a spectacle and a sport. Adalaide Byrd was more accurate carding 117-111 as Abril out-manoeuvred and bamboozled Rios at times as ‘Bam Bam’ walked in taking combinations from the Cuban all night. The only criticism you could level at Abril was his clinching once Rios came in close, but he was warned twice by referee Vic Drakulich and it would never have affected the outcom...

Brandon Rios v Richard Abril ( WBA lightweight title ) *title only available for Abril as Rios 2lbs overweight Mandalay Bay Hotel, Las Vegas, USA 12x3                                                    Rios                             Abril              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------                  Round 1                        9                                  10              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------...