Rios Gets 'disgraceful' Split Deci...
Glax0r
15 Apr 2012
Rios gets 'disgraceful' split decision victory against Abril
By Bob Velin, USA TODAY
In a stunning decision that gives boxing yet another black eye, Brandon Rios won a highly controversial split decision against Cuban Richard Abril Saturday night in a fight Abril appeared to dominate from start to finish.
When the final bell rang, it appeared that Abril was going to shock the boxing world by handing former lightweight champion Rios the first loss of his career, in a 12-round pay-per-view affair at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
And it seemed to be the case when the ring announcer gave the first judge's score. Adelaide Byrd had it for Abril by 117-111. But then judges Jerry Roth (116-112) and Glenn Trowbridge (115-113) both scored it for Rios for the split decision.
The crowd, which had booed throughout much of the second half of the fight for a lack of action from Rios (30-0-1, 22 KOs), seemed stunned by the decision. Rios jumped on the ropes to celebrate, but his body language after the fight indicated that he had lost the fight.
Abril kept Rios at a distance most of the night, and was finding Rios with precision punches, while smothering Rios' attempts to get in his licks.
Abril (17-2-1, 8 KOs), who had challenged Rios to a fight after Rios' original opponent, Yuriorkis Gamboa, decided not to fight, was incensed by the decision.
"The scoring was disgraceful," said Abril, who was born and still lives in Cuba but is in the USA on a work visa. "I thought I won by four or five rounds. It never crossed my mind that I could lose."
Abril said after the fight that he had hurt his right hand during the fourth round and laid off a little bit after that to protect the hand.
Rios came in two pounds overweight during Friday's weigh-in, and was unable to lose the weight to get to the 135-pound limit. Therefore he was ineligible to win the interim WBA lightweight belt, which was up for grabs in this fight. He also had to give a portion of his purse to Abril. Rios originally lost the WBA title on the scales during his December fight against John Murray.
"Abril was an awkward fighter," said Rios. "He held a lot. I thought referee (Vic Drakulich) should have penalized him for holding. I felt good physically."
Rios looked sluggish much of the night, which could be attributed to his having to spend much of his training camp cutting weight. But he denied it and said he was moving up to 140 pounds.
"Trying to make weight did not drain me," Rios said. "It was not my best fight but I did fight well. 140 lbs is where I am going — 140 here I come."
Marquez wins unanimous decision: In Mexico City, Juan Manuel Marquez scored an easy unanimous decision against Ukrainian Serghey Fedchenko to become the second Mexican fighter to win titles in four different weight classes.
The fight was on the same PPV card as the Rios-Abril fight.
Erik Morales, from Tijuana, who ironically has never fought Marquez, also won titles in four weight classes.
Marquez won the interim WBO 140-pound belt with the victory, the 54th of his brilliant career. It was not close, as the three judges scored it 119-109, 118-110, 118-110 for Marquez, who used his precision punching and counter-punching style to stymie Fedchenko. Marquez also hurt Fedchenko often with punishing body punches.
Marquez, 38, was fighting in his hometown of Mexico City for the first time in 18 years. He nearly stopped Fedchenko (30-2, 13 KOs) in the 12th round, as the 31-year-old Ukrainian was on wobbly legs, but held on.
Marquez's next fight will likely be at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas July 14 against an as yet unnamed opponent. He could have a fourth fight against Manny Pacquiao in November.
Alvarado stays unbeaten: "Mile-High" Mike Alvarado pounded a game Mauricio Herrera in a 10-round light welterweight fight on the Rios-Abril undercard.
Alvarado (33-0, 20 KOs) was relentless throughout the fight and kept the pressure on Herrera from the start. He zeroed in on Herrera's left eye, and by the end of the fight it was swelled shut. Alvarado had a cut over his right eye that didn't seem to bother him.
Nonetheless, Herrera (18-2, 7 KOs) never gave up and fought hard until the end.
Afterwards, Alvarado, 31, said he wanted Juan Manuel Marquez next.
"I want Marquez. I am ready for Marquez," he said. "I have paid my dues and I do not have any weight issues.
"Herrera was durable and tough. I could tell he trained hard but his power was not enough. If I had stepped onto the gas more, I would have stopped him."
By Bob Velin, USA TODAY
In a stunning decision that gives boxing yet another black eye, Brandon Rios won a highly controversial split decision against Cuban Richard Abril Saturday night in a fight Abril appeared to dominate from start to finish.
When the final bell rang, it appeared that Abril was going to shock the boxing world by handing former lightweight champion Rios the first loss of his career, in a 12-round pay-per-view affair at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
And it seemed to be the case when the ring announcer gave the first judge's score. Adelaide Byrd had it for Abril by 117-111. But then judges Jerry Roth (116-112) and Glenn Trowbridge (115-113) both scored it for Rios for the split decision.
The crowd, which had booed throughout much of the second half of the fight for a lack of action from Rios (30-0-1, 22 KOs), seemed stunned by the decision. Rios jumped on the ropes to celebrate, but his body language after the fight indicated that he had lost the fight.
Abril kept Rios at a distance most of the night, and was finding Rios with precision punches, while smothering Rios' attempts to get in his licks.
Abril (17-2-1, 8 KOs), who had challenged Rios to a fight after Rios' original opponent, Yuriorkis Gamboa, decided not to fight, was incensed by the decision.
"The scoring was disgraceful," said Abril, who was born and still lives in Cuba but is in the USA on a work visa. "I thought I won by four or five rounds. It never crossed my mind that I could lose."
Abril said after the fight that he had hurt his right hand during the fourth round and laid off a little bit after that to protect the hand.
Rios came in two pounds overweight during Friday's weigh-in, and was unable to lose the weight to get to the 135-pound limit. Therefore he was ineligible to win the interim WBA lightweight belt, which was up for grabs in this fight. He also had to give a portion of his purse to Abril. Rios originally lost the WBA title on the scales during his December fight against John Murray.
"Abril was an awkward fighter," said Rios. "He held a lot. I thought referee (Vic Drakulich) should have penalized him for holding. I felt good physically."
Rios looked sluggish much of the night, which could be attributed to his having to spend much of his training camp cutting weight. But he denied it and said he was moving up to 140 pounds.
"Trying to make weight did not drain me," Rios said. "It was not my best fight but I did fight well. 140 lbs is where I am going — 140 here I come."
Marquez wins unanimous decision: In Mexico City, Juan Manuel Marquez scored an easy unanimous decision against Ukrainian Serghey Fedchenko to become the second Mexican fighter to win titles in four different weight classes.
The fight was on the same PPV card as the Rios-Abril fight.
Erik Morales, from Tijuana, who ironically has never fought Marquez, also won titles in four weight classes.
Marquez won the interim WBO 140-pound belt with the victory, the 54th of his brilliant career. It was not close, as the three judges scored it 119-109, 118-110, 118-110 for Marquez, who used his precision punching and counter-punching style to stymie Fedchenko. Marquez also hurt Fedchenko often with punishing body punches.
Marquez, 38, was fighting in his hometown of Mexico City for the first time in 18 years. He nearly stopped Fedchenko (30-2, 13 KOs) in the 12th round, as the 31-year-old Ukrainian was on wobbly legs, but held on.
Marquez's next fight will likely be at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas July 14 against an as yet unnamed opponent. He could have a fourth fight against Manny Pacquiao in November.
Alvarado stays unbeaten: "Mile-High" Mike Alvarado pounded a game Mauricio Herrera in a 10-round light welterweight fight on the Rios-Abril undercard.
Alvarado (33-0, 20 KOs) was relentless throughout the fight and kept the pressure on Herrera from the start. He zeroed in on Herrera's left eye, and by the end of the fight it was swelled shut. Alvarado had a cut over his right eye that didn't seem to bother him.
Nonetheless, Herrera (18-2, 7 KOs) never gave up and fought hard until the end.
Afterwards, Alvarado, 31, said he wanted Juan Manuel Marquez next.
"I want Marquez. I am ready for Marquez," he said. "I have paid my dues and I do not have any weight issues.
"Herrera was durable and tough. I could tell he trained hard but his power was not enough. If I had stepped onto the gas more, I would have stopped him."
Rocket Pop
15 Apr 2012
This has to reflect some sort of corruption and it seems to be getting worse. Either the judges have to be held accountable somehow or their identities should remain secret until the day of the fight.
1hitrquitr
15 Apr 2012
Lack of action from Rios? He was the one trying to make it a fight. Abril probably deserved the nod, but there where a lot of rounds were i think Rios probably outworked him. Not very effective but its hard to do so against a guy that is pinning one arm down. Abril did nothin on the inside but make sure he didnt get hit cleanly. Most of the fight was on the inside. While the cleaner head snapping punches were landed by abril, Rios was in my opinion outworking and grinding out some of those rounds.
jbox
15 Apr 2012
Funny that Arum is being blamed for this one Jerry Roth, one of the judges who scored the fight for Rios, screwed Arum many years ago when he robbed Oscar against Tito. Guess they must have kissed and made up since then.
I didn't know that Arum had influence over other poor decisions like Lara-Williams, Cloud-Campillo and the countless others that haven taken place in the last year. This is a boxing/athletic commission problem, not a promoter problem.
Some of these guys are old as fuck and are expected to keep up with fast paced action. Do the commissions perform yearly eye exams or anything like that for their judges? Also the judges are never held accountable for their scorecards. The judges from the Lara-Williams fight were suspended but for what? They will judge again and it's not like the decision got overturned.
I didn't know that Arum had influence over other poor decisions like Lara-Williams, Cloud-Campillo and the countless others that haven taken place in the last year. This is a boxing/athletic commission problem, not a promoter problem.
Some of these guys are old as fuck and are expected to keep up with fast paced action. Do the commissions perform yearly eye exams or anything like that for their judges? Also the judges are never held accountable for their scorecards. The judges from the Lara-Williams fight were suspended but for what? They will judge again and it's not like the decision got overturned.
9secondko
15 Apr 2012
This decision is as bad as some Matt vanda gifts back in the day.
Rios is big compared to the guys he has fought.
But he sucks.
He has to move up to 140 now.
Let's see... Rios vs khan? Maidana? Alexander? Bradley, Judah?
Poor guy should just retire now. And be glad he didn't get his butt kicked by little Gamboa.
Rios is big compared to the guys he has fought.
But he sucks.
He has to move up to 140 now.
Let's see... Rios vs khan? Maidana? Alexander? Bradley, Judah?
Poor guy should just retire now. And be glad he didn't get his butt kicked by little Gamboa.
SuperiorKnowledge
15 Apr 2012
9secondko, on 15 April 2012 - 10:01 PM, said:
This decision is as bad as some Matt vanda gifts back in the day.
Rios is big compared to the guys he has fought.
But he sucks.
He has to move up to 140 now.
Let's see... Rios vs khan? Maidana? Alexander? Bradley, Judah?
Poor guy should just retire now. And be glad he didn't get his butt kicked by little Gamboa.
Rios is big compared to the guys he has fought.
But he sucks.
He has to move up to 140 now.
Let's see... Rios vs khan? Maidana? Alexander? Bradley, Judah?
Poor guy should just retire now. And be glad he didn't get his butt kicked by little Gamboa.
Yeah, Rios would get wrecked. Much like his teammate Margarito, he has no skills.
Rocket Pop
15 Apr 2012
jbox, on 15 April 2012 - 09:34 PM, said:
Funny that Arum is being blamed for this one Jerry Roth, one of the judges who scored the fight for Rios, screwed Arum many years ago when he robbed Oscar against Tito. Guess they must have kissed and made up since then.
I didn't know that Arum had influence over other poor decisions like Lara-Williams, Cloud-Campillo and the countless others that haven taken place in the last year. This is a boxing/athletic commission problem, not a promoter problem.
Some of these guys are old as fuck and are expected to keep up with fast paced action. Do the commissions perform yearly eye exams or anything like that for their judges? Also the judges are never held accountable for their scorecards. The judges from the Lara-Williams fight were suspended but for what? They will judge again and it's not like the decision got overturned.
I didn't know that Arum had influence over other poor decisions like Lara-Williams, Cloud-Campillo and the countless others that haven taken place in the last year. This is a boxing/athletic commission problem, not a promoter problem.
Some of these guys are old as fuck and are expected to keep up with fast paced action. Do the commissions perform yearly eye exams or anything like that for their judges? Also the judges are never held accountable for their scorecards. The judges from the Lara-Williams fight were suspended but for what? They will judge again and it's not like the decision got overturned.
jbox
15 Apr 2012
Rocket Pop, on 15 April 2012 - 10:46 PM, said:
Are you sure about that? I read somewhere that there was precisely this problem - that the promoters put these guys up wine and dine them and then they are pressured a certain way even if subconsciously or covertly. It's a wink wink. I would glady post link but it's long lost somewhere in my memory. I don't just typically just blow smoke out of my ass.
Positive about Jerry Roth. It was highlighted on the HBO doc. Arum accused Don King of getting certain assurances from the NSAC. Arum call Roth out specifically regarding his scorecard by giving TIto 3 of the first 4 rounds or something like that when most were in agreement that Oscar swept the early rounds.
jbox
15 Apr 2012
Rocket Pop, on 15 April 2012 - 11:00 PM, said:
I am not sure about the promoters in regards to hotel perks etc. That is something that maybe Ender or J-Blaze could explain. The judges are selected by the local athletic commissions from my understanding. Also, DiBella gets crazy sometimes lol
Rocket Pop
15 Apr 2012
jbox, on 15 April 2012 - 11:52 PM, said:
I am not sure about the promoters in regards to hotel perks etc. That is something that maybe Ender or J-Blaze could explain. The judges are selected by the local athletic commissions from my understanding. Also, DiBella gets crazy sometimes lol
melonbag
16 Apr 2012
I didn't watch the replay yet. But I figure if Jerry Roth thought Abril won, then he wouldn't have had an 8 rounds to 4 score. He could had 115-113. But Rios is the bigger name and draw so they get the benefit of the doubt.
I had a feeling that Michael Katsidis was going to pull off the win on Friday, mostly because he was the bigger draw. But I was surprised when the judges gave the decision to Mensah, even though he earned the win.
I had a feeling that Michael Katsidis was going to pull off the win on Friday, mostly because he was the bigger draw. But I was surprised when the judges gave the decision to Mensah, even though he earned the win.
Dannypr
16 Apr 2012
I think it's time for rios to stop feeding on the smaller guys and start fighting guys his own weight to show what he is really made of. He might just get exposed when he steps up in class and fight someone his own size.
What does all of this say about his trainer??? Anyone here now thinks he might be a bit overrated???
What does all of this say about his trainer??? Anyone here now thinks he might be a bit overrated???
