Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that a rematch of one of the more controversial bouts between IBF Bantamweight champion Abner and former champ Joseph Agbeko will take place December 3rd at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California and will be telecast live on Showtime.
The first fight was marred in controversy after referee Russell Mora missed in upwards of twenty low blows committed by Mares and one of those resulted in a knockdown which helped Mares eek out a majority decision earlier this Summer.
In the co-deature, Bantamweight titlist Anselmo Moreno will make his Golden Boy Promotions debut when he takes on former world champion Vic Darchinyan.
“We have finalized it,” said Golden Boy’s Richard Schaefer. “I’m thrilled about it. It’s a much-anticipated rematch.”
Vinny Scolpino, Agbeko’s manager, said they were just pleased to get the deal done and get a another chance against Mares.
“I think Joseph goes back in there and beats Mares. He knows what he did wrong the first time and I think he’ll take the title home,” Scolpino said. “This is a great opportunity. I’m glad Showtime stepped up to the plate and made it happen. They needed to get some extra money for their budget, but they did the right thing. I’m happy that Joseph gets another opportunity to get his belt back. That’s the bottom line, whatever happened in the first fight.”
“I really think when it comes to this weight class that this is Abner Mares’ time,” Schaefer said. “When you watch him and how he has developed the last year or so, he has really developed into a top bantamweight. The first time he beat Agbeko it wasn’t a fluke. He will confirm that and remain world champion in an impressive manner. That is what I expect from him. This is his time.”
“Abner is looking forward to clearing up any doubt that took place in the first fight,” Frank Espinoza, Mares’ manager, said. “It’s the right call for Abner and the right call for Agbeko. It’s the right thing. Golden Boy and Team Mares just want to clear up any doubts in the rematch. Abner is excited and looking forward to starting training on Monday. These guys are both warriors. They will give a great fight again and please the fans.”
“Dec. 3 was the only date we had to work with so it is what it is, but this is a much-talked about rematch, especially in Los Angeles, and it will be a much covered event. The fact is that the first fight did well on Showtime and we think it will do well again. It is an event that stands on its own. In today’s day and age, with the economy the way it is, I think that it is going to be a welcome gift from Showtime to boxing fans that they can see it without having to pull out their wallet.”
“Moreno and Darchinyan, that’s another interesting fight,” Schaefer said. “You have two really exciting bantamweight fights on the same night, so I think it will do extremely well.”