In a cruel twist of fate for Boxing fans, Showtime is counter programming Top Rank?s stacked PPV card with a sterling bantamweight double-header topped by the highly anticipated rematch of Abner Mares foul plagued decision win over Joseph Agbeko.
While I feel that too many fans have personally attacked Abner, I don?t think the low blows were intentional, that was unquestionably one of the worst referee jobs I have ever seen and if a sustained body attack can slow down a fighter, what do you think a steady stream of power shots to the family jewels can accomplish?
Mares has to brush that off and fight his fight, working the body is a huge part of his game and to stray away from that would be detrimental to his chances. Hopefully he has been working on getting those shots up because even though the Agbeko fight was by far the most egregious display he usually sends a few shots below the waistline. Other than that he has proven to be versatile fighter who can fight from any position in the ring and is equally as effective leading as he is countering.
Joseph is also an all around skilled fighter who is made out of concrete. If his performance in the rematch against Yhonny Perez is any indicator he will have some new wrinkles for Mares tomorrow night. I expect him to back off a bit at times and potshot Abner from a distance.
The fight should have many twists and turns and the 3rd man in the ring has to take command early on. If Mares blows stray below the belt expect a quick trigger on a deduction and that could alter his style. As I stated earlier, I think Joseph will alter his style at times and that could confuse Mares a bit. Abner also has a tendency to get complacent for short stretches and when he does look for Agbeko to seize control. They are both extremely tough so I can?t see a stoppage from either side. Just a technically sound and exciting fight between two of the best the bantamweight division has to offer. I?m going with Agbeko to even the score and take back his IBF title with a close, possibly split decision.
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The co-feature has a more distinctive style mesh as Anselmo Moreno defends his WBA title against Vic Darchinyan. Vic has shown solid counter-punching ability and more skill than he is credited for, but at heart he is a raging bull and that is exactly what he will need to be against the slick Panamanian. Darchinyan has been down this road before when he upset Cristian Mijares with a devastating performance against who was thought to be an elite boxer. Anselmo is physically stronger than Mijares, but it could be significant if Vic is able to just blow through Moreno?s lighter punches and inflict punishment without fear of what is coming back at him.
Moreno is probably a new name for all but the most die hard of boxing fans. Internet streams have been the only way to see him up until this fight, but make no mistake he is the real deal. One of the better defensive fighters in the game and he is not afraid to stand in the pocket and mix it up. While I won?t be so bold as to compare him to the all time great Pernell Whitaker, there are style similarities and he has an excellent southpaw jab.
