Boxrec have this on (what is I assume) the undercard of a Shinsuke Yamanaka card (he's fighting Alberto Guevara). Abril probably got himself a lifetime TV ban in the US for being so ugly in the ring, (he makes Miguel Vazquez look entertaining) but is no doubt a top lightweight (everyone knows he beat Brandon Rios). Linares was once a highly touted prospect but had his glass chin cracked and paper face torn apart since, however is pretty talented. I like Linares in this by a narrow points victory due to greater activity. His main weakeness (his chin) will not likely come under threat from Abril who's only got 8 knockouts. I think it's a good fight for Linares to get himself back in the picture.
Linares close decision. Probably one where some say Abril won but overall recognized as a fair W. I do see Abril as the perfect style of fighter at the top tier of the division for Linares' drawbacks to not show as much.
I think Abril will do enough for him to claim he won, but I don't think Linares will care, being in Japan nobody from the Western world will be watching and he will be the WBA champ should he win. If I was him after that I'd try for a title unification fight with Burns, who also, Kevin Mitchell aside, doesn't seem to have much power and has looked ready for the taking in his last scrap. Vazquez wouldn't be a bad option either but obviously a more difficult fight.
Nah. Abril doesn't have the power to batter him around. He'll just look like dog **** after the fight I'm imaging. Japan is Linare's adopted country anyway. Doubt they'd shut down his big opportunity to become relevant again.
WTF? My two favorite lightweights have to fight each other instead of taking out guys like Burns or Vazquez, SMH.
