COMMENTARY | In the rematch, Abner Mares (23-0-1, 13 KOs) retained his IBF Bantamweight title that he won from Joseph Agbeko (28-4, 22 KOs) in a controversial decision in their first fight last August. The judges scored this fight in a unanimous decision, 116-111, 117-110 and 120-107 for Mares.
Mares showed off his boxing skills against Agbeko and was able to do so without throwing too many low blows. Agbeko did give the young champion some trouble in the early rounds but he was unable to adjust to Mares’ speed and technical skills.
Mares suffered a cut that bled from the corner of his right eye from the second round on. He was able to put the cut behind him and focus his attention on Agbeko the rest of the night. Mares was able to put together plenty of well-crafted combinations that were able to find their mark. This time keeping his composure, Mares was able to out box Agbeko as the fight moved on without committing any fouls. The fight was a one sided affair as it went passed the fourth round. Mares took control of the fight and never looked back.
“I’m happy my fans saw my true boxing skills,” said Mares, a 25-year-old Mexico native who grew up in Southern California. “They saw the real Abner Mares tonight.
“(The cut) bothered me sometimes and (Agbeko) played it smart by going for it, but I had a great cutman in Miguel Diaz, and I knew I was winning the entire fight.
“I had too much muscle on me for our first fight and I got tired in the late rounds, but this time we finished strong.”
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