Highlights from an action-packed weekend on BoxNationTV including the Senior ABA Elite Finals from York Hall, Felix Sturm vs. Sebastian Zbik for the WBA Super World Middleweight Championship, Brandon Rios vs. Richard Abril and Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Serhiy Fedchenko for the vacant WBO World Interim Light Welterweight Championship.
Rios vs Abril
Rios
Abril
14th April 2012
The WBA World Lightweight Championship
Rios takes questionable split decision over Abril
After a split decision that left pundits and commentators baffled, unbeaten Brandon Rios takes the win. Having weighed in two pounds overweight, Rios was unable to compete for the WBA World Lightweight Championship, while Abril did have the chance to win the WBA strap.
The lesser known Abril had the most of the fight from the first bell to last, but, when the fight went to the cards, a controversial split decision result was returned in the favour of Rios.
Rios doesn't make the weight
It's weigh in drama as Brandon Rios comes in overweight, meaning the WBA World Lightweight Championship will not be on the line for Rios.
We're still all set for a fantastic fight on BoxNation, with Rios looking to dish out revenge after his press conference confrontation with Abril, while Abril can still accede to the full WBA World title.
Rios and Abril set for Las Vegas showdown
Brandon Rios and Richard Abril will face off in Las Vegas LIVE on BoxNation April 14th. Mexican-American Rios was originally due to fight Yuriorkis Gamboa, and, stoking up the tensions, is reported to have described himself as "disappointed" to only be facing Abril.
Rios and Abril do have history after Abril disrupted the press conference that was due to announce the Rios and Gamboa. Abril squared up to Rios and so the foundation was set for a mouthwatering fight on Saturday April 14th.
Brandon Rios
Ranked as World's number one lightweight by Ring Magazine, sitting only beneath current World Champ Juan Manuel Marquez, Brandon Rios is likely to enter this bout as the narrow favourite.
At the age of 25, Rios has already amassed 29 career wins and 22 by way of knockout. The American's one and only setback came in 2008 against Manuel Perez, when he was held to a majority decision draw over 10 rounds.
Rios is known for his front foot style, which he uses as a platform to dish out short and stinging uppercuts. He'll have to be wary of Abril's pace and ring movement, which has made him an elusive companion in the ring in fights past.
Richard Abril
29-year-old Abril will present a stern test to Rios. Unlike many of Rios' former conquests, Abril is an in-ring livewire, and could cause his opponent problems with his hit and retreat approach.
Abril will enter the Mandalay Bay ring with a 17 - 2 - 1 record, though both of his defeats came by narrow split decisions; Abril has never been stopped.
Marquez vs Fedchenko
Marquez Fedchenko
14th April 2012
The vacant WBO World Interim Light Welterweight Championship
Mexican legend Marquez takes routine win over Fedchenko
Juan Manuel Marquez secured a straightforward unanimous decision win over Ukraine's Serhiy Fedchenko to win the vacant WBO World Interim Light Welterweight Championship.
Though Fedchenko showed a high work rate and sturdy chin, Marquez dominated proceedings from start to finish.
In winning, Marquez won a World title in a fourth division, marking another fine achievement in the 38-year-old's career. The Mexican hero will now look to line up a big fight in the summer, with a rematch against Manny Pacquiao on his radar.
Marquez and Fedchenko set for WBO Interim showdown
Vastly experienced Juan Manuel Marquez meets stern Ukrainian challenger Serhiy Fedchenko with the vacant WBO World Interim Light Welterweight Championship on the line.
The April 14 event - which comes to you LIVE as part of a double-header on BoxNation - will be the first boxing event ever to be held in the 22,300 New Mexico City Arena. For Marquez, this bout is also a first fight in his home town since 1994, and the local fighter is set for a hero's welcome.
Juan Manuel Marquez
At the age of 38 and with World title wins across three divisions, Juan Manuel Marquez is one of the most experienced and decorated fighters in the world of boxing. He will look to add a World crown in a fourth division and make history.
The Mexico City-born fighter is currently rated at light welterweight, and is ranked by Ring Magazine as the sixth best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Marquez will enter the ring with a 53 (39 KO) - 6 - 1 record, with his more recent defeats coming at the hands of some of the fight game's greatest luminaries - Manny Pacquiao twice and Floyd Mayweather Junior once.
Serhiy Fedchenko
30-year-old Serhiy Fedchenko brings a 30 (13 KO) - 1 record to the party in what will be his first shot at a World title, albeit an interim one.
Fedchenko is known for a bulldozing, step forward approach which could cause Marquez some discomfort and pose a challenge to the Mexican's ability to evade punches.
Current WBO European Champion Fedchenko will have nothing to fear in what is certain to be a hostile New Mexico City Arena; in his 31 fights, he's never been stopped, only losing on a majority decision to Kaiizer Mazuba in 2009.
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