Boxing: Rios remains unbeaten

LAS VEGAS: American fighter Brandon Rios remained unbeaten with a split-decision victory over Cuban Richard Abril but the World Boxing Association lightweight title remained vacant. Rios failed to make weight for the fight, coming in at 137 pounds rather than inside the division’s 135-pound limit, and was ineligible to claim the crown. Instead, he was only able to deny Abril the title. Two judges gave the 12-round decision to Rios by scores of 115-113 and 116-112 to provide the margin of victory while the third judge saw Abril a 117-111 winner. However, it was the second time in a row that Rios cost himself the WBA crown by failing to tip the scales at or below 135 pounds.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2012.