Revisiting Rios vs Abril

[Dr Rumack]

Yep, I have my reservations, but we'll soon see. Yuri will probably just have a couple of fights at 130, then move up. That division doesn't promise anything.

Are you first or second generation Cuban, if you don't mind my asking?

I'd love to know the attitude in Cuba towards so called 'defectors'. Is it on a case by case basis? I can understand how there could be a certain level of resentment, but the same time, a guy carrying the Cuban flag winning great victories on the global stage can't be a bad thing either.

[The Gambler1981]

Well there are different ways to outbox and school someone, what Abril did was stay close and work Rios inside. Now that was probably a surprise to Rios because he would figure a guy would try to outbox him by moving away, but going inside working inside his power and grappling when he needed defused him completely. Not just anyone could or would be willing to do that because it is counter intuitive to most boxer types to fight that way.

Most boxers want to move and use range, which I think can work on Rios but a guy would need to be very good because Rios would be chasing all night and if a guy isn't up to the task Rios will eventually find them.

Not just any boxer type could beat him, but I do think any excellent boxer would beat him or at least stand a very good chance.

[SlySlickSmooth]

Watched the fight for the first time just now, I don't even understand how you could give even Rios 3 (VERY ****IN GENEROUS) rounds out of that fight. I gave him 1 round, the third.

Abril outboxed Rios.

[SlySlickSmooth]

Well there are different ways to outbox and school someone, what Abril did was stay close and work Rios inside. Now that was probably a surprise to Rios because he would figure a guy would try to outbox him by moving away, but going inside working inside his power and grappling when he needed defused him completely. Not just anyone could or would be willing to do that because it is counter intuitive to most boxer types to fight that way.

Most boxers want to move and use range, which I think can work on Rios but a guy would need to be very good because Rios would be chasing all night and if a guy isn't up to the task Rios will eventually find them.

Not just any boxer type could beat him, but I do think any excellent boxer would beat him or at least stand a very good chance.

Sounds like Broner has Rios' number too...

[2012]

All Abril did was clinch

he never dealt any serious damage

Rio still landed more punches and is by far the better of the two

[Light_Speed]

Abril shut down Rios' offense while winning every round, it was a straight schooling. Looked like an episode of pros vs joes.

[SlySlickSmooth]

All Abril did was clinch

he never dealt any serious damage

Rio still landed more punches and is by far the better of the two

Rios landed most of his punches in the clinch and I saw a lot of nice 1-2's and excellent jabbing from Abril. Abril shut down Rios' style.

It may not of looked like he dealt any damage because well, Rios is tough, but he got nailed a lot.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Actually if we're strictly talking about opposition, I'd rather he stay at 130, you got talent south of that division, it'll require waiting but it's worth it. Maybe he can workout a catch weight to make certain fights more viable, Uchiyama would be a good opponent as well. Winner of Mendez-Salgado II is another option, not at all bad.

I don't mind seeing any of those, but I don't consider any of those guys a serious threat to Gamboa. Beyond that, Yuri's not getting any younger, he needs to fight some more high-profile matches. An eventual showdown with Broner would be great, even though Gamboa might prove too small.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Are you first or second generation Cuban, if you don't mind my asking?

I'd love to know the attitude in Cuba towards so called 'defectors'. Is it on a case by case basis? I can understand how there could be a certain level of resentment, but the same time, a guy carrying the Cuban flag winning great victories on the global stage can't be a bad thing either.

I was born in Cuba. I can't say for certain, but my experience is that most Cubans on the island support the "defectors". They've fled want and misery for a better life. Most Cubans wish they could have the same opportunity. There's a lot of misinformation about Cuba. The truth is, there isn't this widespread hatred for the U.S. some people assume.

[Miburo]

Don't like beating a dead horse, but I see that people keep bringing up this fight and implying its a guarantee that Rios would get ripped apart by anyone with skill.

Just to get it out of the way, yes, Abril was robbed badly. No way Rios won that fight. The decision stunk and those judges should have been disciplined.

Back to the fight. Its so obvious that Rios was horribly weight drained. Excuse or not, he was. He was lethargic, slow as hell, his punches had nothing on them and he looked like he was going to collapse out there. He was not himself. I don't understand how anyone can deny that.

Second, I fail to see how Abril "schooled" him. At first he was outboxing Rios a bit, but in the latter rounds he was just standing there letting Rios whack on his arms. Hardly a schooling, more like just winning.

So explain to me how that fight proves anything other than he shouldn't have been fighting at that weight.

With that style and those weaknesses though, can you see him maintaining consistent success moving up in weight? I have plenty of doubts.