Brandon Rios may not have looked extraordinary on Saturday night in Las Vegas during his bout with Cuba?s Richard Abril, but he was awarded with a split-decision victory and lives to fight another day. While several ringsiders inside of the Events Center at the Mandalay Bay felt that Abril should have gotten the nod, Rios can now put this chapter behind him as he eyes a move to 140 pounds.
On the undercard, Denver, Colorado?s Mike Alvarado out gutted and overpowered a very game Mauricio Herrera in a junior welterweight clash, winning a clear but competitive ten-round decision while unbeaten Filipino lightweight contender Mercito Gesta picked apart Columbia?s Oscar Cuero for an eighth round TKO.
For an exclusive look at the festivities, including a ringside view of the action from photographer Naoki Fukuda and Chris Robinson?s behind-the-scenes shots of Mercito Gesta and his team after their victory, Rios in his dressing room prior to the fight, a look at the post fight presser, and more, please visit the slideshow on the left or check out A closer look at the victories of Rios, Gesta, and Alvarado
