IBF bantamweight titlist Abner Mares admits that enjoying his title in the immediate wake of his victory over Joseph Agbeko has been rather difficult given how controversial that contest was. Not only was there the botched knockdown ruling by referee Russell Mora in the first round, there were numerous warnings (with no point deductions) from the third man in the ring for low blows to Agbeko. Finally, another blatantly low shot on Agbeko was missed, subsequently ruled a knockdown on the defending champion and essentially sealing the fight for Mares.
With the ensuing outcry from the boxing public, it was difficult to enjoy the victory.
Mares, who faces Agbeko again this Saturday night at the Honda Center in Anaheim (Showtime, 9 PM, ET/PT) admitted, ?Amongst my people, my family, there was no way to take away the greatness of becoming a world champion. But amongst fans and people in general, it did [take away from it]. It did tarnish it. A lot of people were still in doubt whether or not I deserved the title. I?m glad the rematch is set. I can?t wait to fight and put an end to this.?
Regardless of the fouls (or better put, the non-calls), it was a close and competitive fight but many believe that Mora beat Agbeko more decisively than Mares did. Right now, he?s known more as ?Mexi-Golota? than a bantamweight champion. Mares admits that he thinks about how the fans perceive him. ?I do, I do,? he says, ?but I sit and think, ?OK, people do go by your last performance on your last fight.? So just give them a great fight in my upcoming fight and, believe me, they?ll get over that. I?m really looking forward to making a statement this coming Saturday.?
Soon after this fight in August, the IBF mandated an immediate rematch between the two, which was no problem for Mares and his team.
His manager, Frank Espinoza told Maxboxing, ?Honestly, it was the right call. I mean, there was a lot of debate over what took place that night and I know that if Abner was in that same position, we?d want a rematch. Things like this in boxing will occur and the best way to really clear it up is to do it again. We understand what was being said and how this sport was being perceived. I really think this was the only fight for us to make right now.? For Mares, not only is the title up for grabs again but redemption is now thrown in as a bonus. ?It was going to be in my mind always,? he stated. ?Even if I went to another fight, it would always be haunting me, people telling me, ?You won your world title because of this or that…? I definitely would not want that. I?m glad this fight is made. I?m glad we?re going to do it again and there?s no better way to clear your name but by fighting the same guy.?
