By Luis Sandoval
Lightweight contender Richard Abril who is coming off a very controversial loss to Bam Bam Brandon Rios was very upset about not getting a decision that most felt he deserved. It only added another chapter to the already bitter feud between both fighters. Abril and Rios engaged in a shoving match seconds after meeting each other for the first time in Miami when Abril insisted Rios should fight him when Gamboa pulled out of a scheduled fight with Rios. If that wasn’t enough, both fighters almost came to blows a second time at their Los Angeles press conference in route to their fight this past Saturday night in Las Vegas, NV at the Mandalay Bay.
With all the bad blood between both fighters, you’d think the feud would continue even after their fight. Surprisingly enough however when Abril came on Boxingscene’s official audio show The Boxing Lab, he informed he held no grudge or hostility towards the always outspoken Rios.
“From my part there’s no problem. Like I’ve always said, what happened in Miami were tempers flaring. He had a problem with me and he started talking a lot. And sincerely, he should know a boxer, as bad as he may be, he has two fists just like he does. Like I’ve always said, in boxing you have to be humble and noble outside the ring and in the ring, be ferocious but also a gentleman” explained Abril.
“But no, I don’t have anything against Brandon Rios. If he wants to greet me, I’ll greet him back. If he wants to talk, I’ll talk with him”.
The fight with Rios was Abril’s first big fight against a big name. He definitely took advantage of the opportunity by putting on a good performance. Bad decision aside, Abril talked about his experience of being part of such a big fight and even had some good things to say about Brandon.
“The experience of being in this fight was a great one. It was a unique experience. I had never been in this situation. And I had never faced a fighter as good as Brandon Rios. I don’t take anything away from him even if he didn’t look good against me. He looked bad against me and the reason is because I frustrate my opponents. To me [Rios] is the best fighter at 135. That’s why I wanted to fight him and I wanted to demonstrate to him, the public and all the fans that Richard can deal with him. I feel very proud about my performance” said the Cuba native.
While Abril would love nothing more than a rematch with Rios, he understands that may not be in Top Rank’s future plans. Abril hopes to be able to get back on television and be rewarded for his performance against Rios even if the judges didn’t give him the decision he felt he deserved.
You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter @truewest007. You can also tune in to Boxingscene’s official audio show The Boxing Lab every Tuesday from 6-8PM PST with hosts Ernest Gabion, Luis Sandoval, and Ryan Burton.
