Philippines, 24 May 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Agbeko versus Mares: A Tainted Tournament Final


PhilBoxing.com




Las Vegas, Nevada ? Showtime Network?s bantamweight tournament concluded tonight with Abner Mares winning a controversial UD victory over IBF champ Joseph Agbeko. The fight was marred by continuous low blows from Mares which referee Russell Mora did not penalize.

A very telling low blow by Mares in the eleventh round of the fight which dropped Agbeko was not censured by Mora and instead was called a knockdown. A frustrated Agbeko protested to no avail as Mora continued his count. This was the second knockdown of the fight as Agbeko was dropped early in the first round as he slipped and at the same time got caught with a left hook from Mares. Agbeko?s trainer had to be restrained at the end of that round as he rushed in the middle of the ring to confront Mora.

The fight minus the controversial non calls by Mora was otherwise a great fight as both Mares and Agbeko had rounds to shine on their own. Mares started strong early in the fight as he backed Agbeko with shots to the head and the body.

Agbeko started his comeback when he hurt Mares in the fourth with an overhand right. He utilized that same punch throughout the fight which left considerable swelling in Mares? right temple. A cut suffered by Mares in the sixth round from an accidental clash of heads did not help the swelling either. Mares showed his resiliency as he proved that he can take Agbeko?s big shots and come back with counter shots of his own. Agbeko rallied on the second half of the fight as Mares filed an early lead but his momentum was stopped on the 10th and the fateful eleventh round from the Mora blunder.

But the continuous unpenalized low blows were the night?s disappointment not only for Agbeko and his corner but to everyone who watched the fight. Mora?s non call was heavily criticized by the ringside crew that was announcing the fight for Showtime and rightfully so. Russel Mora who was interviewed after the fight defended his actions and maintained that he made the right call of the last knockdown.

A replay of his call was showed to him by Showtime?s Jim Gray and Mora still refused to admit his mistake. ?It has a different view point from looking at it here in slow motion, (but) from where I saw it live, I saw it as a fair punch in the belt line and that was my call.? he asserted. He refused to admit the error despite the glaring proof in the giant screen of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Resort.

The tournament was well received by fans and the boxing world as it fitted four of the division?s finest in a Final Four format. The hopes were for the winner to fight WBO and WBC champion; Nonito Donaire in the future. The result of it makes it a bitter pill to swallow for everyone, all because of the incompetence of the third man on the ring.

Questions will remain and continue to linger because of the closeness of the score cards after the fight. If the right deductions were made on Mares and the questionable knockdown nullified, this would have been a draw on the cards. That is too late now for Agbeko whose team plans to file a protest to the International Boxing Federation (IBF). A protest which clearly mandates a prompt explanation and subsequent action from the IBF. This should be done not only for Team Agbeko, but for the fans and the sport of boxing as well.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Usmonov Stops Pagara in 3 in Title Fight in Tajikistan
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 24 May 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES TWO HIGH-STAKES SUPPORTING BOUTS FOR CLARESSA SHIELDS’ UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT
    , Sat, 24 May 2025
  • Taylor vs. Essuman & Leo vs. Kameda Preview and Picks
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 23 May 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM JAPAN: TADURAN - 104.5 LBS., SHIGEOKA - 104.9 LBS.
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 23 May 2025
  • Suelo rules Thailand Open Rapid Chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 23 May 2025
  • Magsayo fights on Manny undercard
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 May 2025
  • Jessie Villasin chess tournament on June 8
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 23 May 2025
  • Olympic medalists Elor, Dake among 16 World Team Trials champions qualified for 2025 Final X in Newark, N.J.
    , Fri, 23 May 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 3 - FRAZIER WINS FIGHT OF THE CENTURY BY UNANIMOUS DECISION
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • Indiana Keeps Coming and Snatches Game One, Shocks New York in OT, 138-135 at MSG
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • The Pacquiao Quarters for the Barrios Fight – A Brilliant Choice!
    By Ed de la Vega, DDS, , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • Filipinos Run 130,000 Kilometers in FundLife’s ‘Move for Equity’ Campaign for Gender Equality and Girls’ Safety
    , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • DAVID STEVENS TO FACE PETR KHAMUKOV IN SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT MAIN EVENT ON FRIDAY, JUNE 20, LIVE ON DAZN FROM THUNDER STUDIOS
    , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • ARMANDO RESENDIZ TRAINING CAMP QUOTES
    , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION NINO BENVENUTI
    , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Daniel Miranda Ready to Take on 2025 Irohazaka Car Meet Drift Series
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • Top Rank Signs Dominican Olympian Euri “La Bazooka” Cedeño to Co-Promotional Pact with King’s Promotions
    , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao Confirms Return to Ring Against Mario Barrios on July 19
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 21 May 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 2 - FIRST ALI-FRAZIER FIGHT, THE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 21 May 2025
  • CLARESSA SHIELDS’ MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Wed, 21 May 2025
  • The Natural: Top Rank Signs Teenage Sensation Julian Montalvo to Promotional Contract
    , Wed, 21 May 2025
  • Paras and Gaballo Set to Battle Thai Contenders in Gensan
    , Wed, 21 May 2025
  • WBC #2 BADILLO TO FACE WBC #8 ZAPATA IN LIGHT FLYWEIGHT FINAL ELIMINATOR ON PROBOX TV, JULY 11
    , Wed, 21 May 2025
  • Who is Mario Barrios?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 20 May 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 19 May 2025: Sam Goodman, Carlos Cuadras, Dave Allen Register Wins
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 20 May 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.