After hearing the allegations, the WBA Directorate decided Richard Abril (17-3-1, 8KOs) would remain as Interim Champion. There were two strong allegations in this case; the first is based on Brandon Bam Bam Rios' weight irregularities, and the second, based on the result of the fight held in Las Vegas. The result was a split decision; however, eleven officials who reviewed it and the supervisor agreed Abril had been the winner. The championships committee's proposal to keep Abril as the*interim-champion, was supported by the International officials committee, and the vote was unanimous. It is sorta like if Abril came in demanding a raise and the WBA then asks, "What if we give you a title instead"? An "interim" title at that. Just a way to get all this nonsense behind them. It is like when some one is found "not guilty". It is not that they are innocent. It is just that there was not enough evidence to find them guilty. There is no proof that any of the judges judged or acted in anything other than in a honest manner. So the WBA decides to make a token guesture and put Abril back in the same position he was before he fought Rios. Which is really funny considering that he is the #1 contender so he was already there to begin with.
They should have stopped at the weight issue. As soon as Rios failed to make weight Abril should not have been penalized for a loss if he decided to go ahead and take the fight so that the 'show could go on'. Once they threw in the panel and disputed the decision they were on a slippery slope. Can they award the title to anyone they wish based on a panel after the fact? I have no problem with Abril not losing position do to Rios's inability to make weight. None at all.
abril shouldve been awarded the title because rios couldnt make weight and he also schooled that fool
But they didn't really do anything but pacify Abril with what he already had. In other words they did nothing.
I've always been irked that a fighter that agrees to go on with a about once his opponent misses weight should face ANY possibility of having his rank lowered. I think a 'no contest' should be automatic if the non offending fighter doesn't win. Why should the fighter following the rules face negative consequences for making sure that everyone else on the card, and himself, gets paid? The people that bought tickets, traveled gets their moneys worth?
It neither worsened or improved his standings. It just stated where he already was....a non-champion.
