American fighter Brandon Rios remained unbeaten with a split-decision victory over Cuban Richard Abril on Saturday but the World Boxing Association lightweight title remained vacant. Rios failed to make weight on Friday for the fight, coming in at 137 pounds rather than inside the division’s 135-pound limit, and so as a result was ineligible to claim the crown, instead only able to deny Abril the title. Two judges gave the 12-round decision to Rios by scores of 115-113 and 116-112 to provide the margin of victory while the third judge saw Abril a 117-111 winner. Rios improved to 30-0 with one drawn with his 12th consecutive triumph while Abril fell to 17-3 with one drawn. It was the second time in a row that Rios cost himself the WBA crown by failing to make weight, having stopped Britain’s John Murray in the 11th round last December after failing to tip the scales at or below 135 pounds. Rios is expected to move up in weight to the junior welterweight division.
