On Saturday April 14th there will be two events in two separate countries to be televised for one PPV price. When Mexican P4P contender Juan Manuel Marquez (53-6-1, 39 KO's) faces Ukrainian, Serhiy Fedchenko (30-1, 13 KO's) in Mexico; and from Las Vegas, rising star Brandon "Bam Bam" Rios (29-0-1, 22 KO's) confronts a different Cuban born fighter named Richard Abril (17-2-1, 8 KO's).

The intrigue lies in the possibility that if Marquez and Rios get past their opponents successfully they are rumored to be the headline bout at Cowboy Stadium in Texas on July 14 this summer.

If that fight is made boxing fans will have something better to look forward to then the previous match up they got excited about that never happened. Brandon Rios vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa. The reason we see Rios against Abril is because Cuban sensation Yuriorkis Gamboa pulled out of the match over "contractual issues".  Bottom line, Gamboa didn't want the fight HE asked for.  Fighters train to fight. Promoters, managers, and lawyers deal with contract disputes, so Gamboa should have instructed "his people" to handle any issues that would prevent the fight HE wanted. Problem would be solved and the fight would go on instead of using that as an excuse, or better yet an exit out the back door. 

The show goes on and the potential of a super fight lies before us.  The Boxing world is drained from all the talks of why Mayweather vs Pacquiao hasn't happened yet. If Marquez vs. Rios can be made in July it will create a stir and satisfy the thirst of true Boxing fans around the world.  Maybe Pac-Man and Money Man as Boxing fans themselves will get motivated enough to put the bickering aside and just do what they do best - FIGHT.  Brandon Rios and Juan Manuel Marquez are two fighter who do that well and never complain when things don't go their way, they just go out and fight.

POST WEIGH-IN THOUGHTS:

Once again, Brandon Rios struggled to make the contractual 135lbs.  Just like in the John Murray fight he came in at 137 which is 2 pounds over.  When he came back 2 hours later to try again, he bewilderingly came in at 139lbs.  He added weight instead of losing it.  He can no longer win the vacant WBA title if he wins.  Brandon Rios should obviously not be fighting at Lightweight again, but truthfully he hasn't been 135 in his last 2 scheduled bouts, so make it official.  What was more troubling was the look on Rios face when he walked into the arena before the official weigh-in.  He looked completely drained and extremely diminished of any strength in his body.  Truly weakened.  When fans screamed his name he barely had the energy to turn around and acknowledge them with a thumbs up.  As he walked out behind the curtain to go up the flight of steps onto the stage where the official scale was; it appeared his trainer, Robert Garcia was leading him there without physically guiding him because Rios was so weak.  It looked like a father taking his son to his room after his first night of drinking with his pops.  It looked very discouraging to his fans.  Brandon Rios has the heart of a lion so don't believe the talk that he didn't train good for the fight that's why he didn't make weight.  Brandon has always been a large Lightweight, it's a matter of a young man growing into his body and he has naturally gone up and can no longer physically make 135 no matter how hard he tries.  No shame in that at all, you just have to move up now that's all.  People are naturally upset, but Brandon and his handlers know he can't make that weight anymore so stop making fights at 135 and the problem is solved.  The people love Brandon Rios for his heart and charisma so he isn't losing any fans, but he is taking a big risk debilitating his body in order to make weight.   Richard "El Tigre" Abril on the other hand looked strong and ready to pounce on his prey.  He senses his opponent is weak and we should expect him to come out violent and vicious at a maddening pace.  If he has any chance at all it's got be a controlled pressure early.  Brandon Rios has left the door open for an upset and has evened the playing field in some sorts. Normally Rios should plow through Abril like a tractor on a bed of roses, but if Rios comes in in a weakened state Abril can capitalize.  Its going to be exciting, but that's typical in a Brandon Rios fight.

Juan Manuel Marquez came in at the official 140lbs from Mexico and looked strong as always.  Marquez is scheduled for July 14th at Cowboys stadium regardless if Rios wins or loses.  We know Marquez will be ready, now we wait and witness. The cards have been dealt now let's see how the hand plays out.  

The undercard features Colorado's pride, Mile High Mike Alvarado (32-0, 23 KO's) vs. Mauricio Herrera (18-1, 7 KO's) who is quickly becoming Boxing's dream shatterer after upsetting undefeated Russian, Ruslan Provodnikov and Mike Dallas Jr. on ESPN last year.  Mike Alvarado is going to bring it, so Herrera is looking for another upset victory.

Tune in on PPV this Saturday for a great night of action.  $44.99 - 54.99 HD