Ever since teaming up with local legend Paulie Ayala, Rafael Casias has seen his career flourish due in large part to an active fighting schedule. Unfortunately, as professional boxing has been on an extended hiatus here in North Texas many of the area’s pugilists have been forced to hit the road in order to continue punching people for pay. Casias is no different than any other fighter in these parts and his quest for an active fight career took him south on I-35 to San Antonio.
Casias’ opponent on Saturday night is no stranger to boxing fans here in North Texas. After all, Joseph Rios has battled here before, ironically enough, both fighters were against Dallas’ 2008 US Olympian Luis Yanez. In fact, in Rios’ last encounter with Yanez this past February many felt that Yanez was lucky to escape the fight with a draw. Needless to say, Rios is as tough a fighter as you will find here in Texas. Compounding matters worse for Casias would be the fact that he would have to battle a confident Rios in Rios’ own hometown.
Ringside accounts paint a picture of tenacity exhibited by Casias. However, Rios came to fight and while many had the fight close, in the end it was Rios who would leave the ring a winner of a unanimous decision. The judges’ scores were 58-56, 59-55, and 59-55. Nearly everyone has scoffed the scores of 59-55 but according to Casias’ trainer Vincent Reyes indicated to North Texas Fisticuffs that Casias may have broken his right hand early in the fight. If so, you have to give credit to Casias for having the balls to continue on in the fight despite the injury. No doubt that Casias will bounce back from this setback and look to reestablish himself as a formidable fighter here in the Lone Star State.
Special thanks to Eseban Stipnieks of ausaboxing.com for the photo.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
