Agbeko & Mares win decisions in Bantamweight Tournament

Joseph Agbeko got redemption and in one swoop reclaimed the IBF Bantamweight championship and advanced to the Bantamweight tournament finals with a twelve round unanimous decision in a rematch with the man who took the title from him in Yonnhy Perez at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington.

Agbeko boxed beautifully over the first half of the fight as he moved in and out and would land some solid rights and used some solid movement for which Agbeko hasnt been previously known for.

In round six, the two went to war throughout the full three minutes as Perez consistently pinned Agbeko against the ropes and landed some hard shots but Agbeko was always answering the barrages of the taller Perez.

Perez had some solid rounds as he featured some lead left hooks that got him back into the fight. Agbeko then turned back to boxing over the last three rounds as he landed and moved as Perez looked a little tired and had little on his punches.

Agbeko of Accra, Ghana won by scores of 117-111; 116-112; 115-113 and is now 28-2. Perez of Colombia is now 20-1-1.

Referencing the IBF belt now in his hands, Agbeko exclaimed. “This is my meal ticket and I’m glad I got it back. I am presenting it to Ghana as a Christmas bonus.” When asked about the upcoming tournament final with Mares, he said, “I’ve watched Abner Mares. He is a very smart kid. King Kong is always King Kong. I’m going to get the crown from him.”

Respectful in defeat, Perez offered, “Agbeko had an intelligent fight today and he won fair and square. I did not expect this game plan from Agbeko.”

Bloodied, knockdown and a point taken away, and that was in the first three rounds but Abner Mares came on late to win a split decision over Vic Darchinyan.

The tone was set early in round one as the two clashed heads and a bad cut was viable on the high left forehead of Mares. I did not get any better for Mares in round two as he was dropped when a big left from Darchinyan had the affect which made Mares glove touch the canvas for a knockdown. Round three didint get any better for Mares as he deducted a point for repeated low blows. The blood began to worsen in that round as well but it seemed to spur Mares on.

The two continued to trade heavy shots and showed incredible courage in this fight that had action in every round. In round seven, a left hand sent Darchinyan to the canvas for a flash knockdown. Mares seemed to be fighting more in combination whereas Darchinyan was loading up for one big shot. Over the last three frames it was Mares forcing the action on what looked to be a very tired Darchinyan as the both continued to fight to the end.

Mares won by scores of 115-111 and 115-112 while Darchinyan took a card by a 115-111 tally.

Mares is now 21-0-1. Darchinyan is now 35-3-1

“Our plan was to push him back because we know he likes to bully people. He has a tremendous punch. I proved that I could take punches,” said the emerging Mexican star who hails from Guadalajara and lives in Montebello, Calif. “I kept pushing him back. I heard him moan every time I landed a body shot.”

The close fight and split decision loss did not leave Darchinyan pleased. “It’s very disgusting, very bad ref. I think, of course, I won. He didn’t let me do what I wanted to do,” said Darchinyan before conceding about Mares, “He is a tough kid.”