It’s Monday. Welcome back for another edition of Observe and Fight, The Boxing Observer’s compilation of observations and random thoughts from the week that was in boxing. Get caught up on some of the most recent events you may have missed out on, including the controversy surrounding referee Russell Mora in the Mares vs. Agbeko fight, Glen Johnson’s revelations about a low-ball offer to fight Lucian Bute, Alfredo Angulo’s signing with Golden Boy Promotions, and much more. Without further ado, check out the latest observations from The Boxing Observer.
Alfredo Angulo has signed with Golden Boy. Does anyone else see the writing on the wall for a Mexican superfight? Forget Saul Alvarez versus Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Let’s put “Canelo” in the ring against “El Perro” Angulo in a soccer stadium in Mexico! This would be a huge way for HBO to kick off the 2012 boxing schedule. I can’t think of another fight in boxing that would bring out a more all-action slugfest than this one. I would definitely travel to Mexico for that match-up. This would also provide Angulo his opportunity to make more than the $750,000 he turned down to face Sergio Martinez, while at the same time, not having to leave Mexico since he is unable to get a visa for the United States.
Joseph Agbeko was wearing his trunks where they should be worn, but he wasn’t screwed. Agbeko did not bring his “A” game. Don’t blame Mares for taking every advantage he could in the biggest fight of his career. You don’t see a baseball pitcher complain about getting too much off the outside corner. Why wouldn’t Mares continue to do what he can get away with? Bernard Hopkins has been doing it for years. Some of the low blows by Abner Mares were not entirely his fault. Numerous times, Mares went to throw a body shot and Agbeko held his head down. Now with that being said, referee Russell Mora did a horrible job of officiating. A point definitely should have been taken away from Mares for some of those low shots. The 11th round “knockdown” of Agbeko was a clear foul and was incorrectly ruled. But at the same time, had Mares been deducted a point, Agbeko should have been deducted a point for pushing down Mares’ head. Russell Mora should face the same consequences as the three judges who scored the Paul Williams-Erislandy Lara fight. He should be suspended until he receives further training. I haven’t seen this horrible of a performance from a referee since the WWE/WWF Survivor Series screw job of 1997.
