Undefeated former World Lightweight Champion Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios (29-0-1, 22 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., and his opponent World Boxing Association (WBA) interim lightweight champion and Cuban expatriate Richard Abril (17-2-1, 8 KOs), of Miami, Fla., hosted a Las Vegas media workout at the Top Rank Gym Tuesday. These two warriors face off for the vacant WBA lightweight title on Saturday night at Mandalay Bay. Right here, you can check out a collection of photos and quotes from the workout session:
BRANDON RIOS
“I’m not letting this unknown coming in and ruining eight years of hard work I put into building my professional boxing career. I beat Miguel Acosta when he was in his prime unlike Abril who beat him on his way down on short notice.
“I was disappointed when I lost the title because I lost the title to myself, on the scale and not to an opponent. It was my fault 100%. The minute I returned home after that fight (A TKO 11 victory of John Murray on Dec. 3) I went straight to the gym to resume training and hired a nutritionist. It was the best decision I ever made. I’m a beast. I feel so much more energetic and powerful and I’m not missing meals. I’m never hungry.
“I’m just a guy who loves to fight. I love my job.
“I originally came back to 135 pounds to fight Gamboa and to win back my world lightweight title. I wanted my title back. I’m not the same without a world championship belt around my waist. I also think a world title makes me worth more. It makes me more valuable.”
“Juan Manuel Márquez and I have a lot of options in 2012 and a lot of opportunities. I think this could be a career year for either of us. One of us could end up as th Fighter of the Year.”
RICHARD ABRIL
“This is a great opportunity for me to win a world title. It’s also a great opportunity for Rios to lose to a great champion. He’ll become more famous because he lost to me.
When I beat Acosta to win the interim world title, I knocked him down three times during the fight. I had a more dominant performance against Acosta than Rios.
“I’m going to break Rios’ mouth when we fight. He’s said a lot of shit. I want Rios to make weight. I want him at his best when I bat him. No excuses.
“I was surprised when Gamboa withdrew from his fight against Rios. I thought Gamboa had a good chance to beat Rios. For a $1 million purse I would fight King Kong.
“I don’t like Rios. He’s got a big mouth. Rios is a good fighter. He has a Mexican fighting style. But Saturday is going to be the end for him. My best weapon is my precision. That is my advantage over Rios.”
