The Cuban has suffered injuries and illness since successfully defending his WBA title against Edis Tatli in September 2014 and feels at little hard done by to lose his status after being forced to postpone his fight with Mathews twice late in the build-up.
According to representative Greg Bloom, 32 year-old Abril is currently on holiday before his imminent return to training and has plans to challenge newly promoted champion Darleys Perez immediately once he gets back to full fitness.
“Richar is disappointed to have been made “Champion in Recess”, but understands why the WBA chose to do so,” Bloom exclusively told World Boxing News.
“Unfortunately, Richar has suffered some untimely injuries and viruses over the last 18 months that have hindered his ability to compete regularly, but he hopes to get healthy and prove that he is still the best lightweight in the world.
“In my view, Richar Abril is the fighter to be feared most in the division, and once his is recovered from his injuries, he will hope to be challenge Darleys Perez over the next few months.”
Asked whether Abril watched Mathews defeat Tony Luis to become interim belt holder in his absence, Bloom added: “He was in Cuba so he did not watch the fight, but he was happy to see Mathews still get his opportunity to fight and expects to fight him after he challenges and beats Perez.”
Briton Mathews will be aiming to face Perez himself at some point in the near future, although the WBA’s ruling means Abril will be first in line once he feels 100% ready to return to the ring.
