PASO, Texas (April 22, 2012) – Abner Mares has power, he has speed, and now he has a second world championship belt. Mares, the 26-year-old undefeated Mexican American from Hawaiian Gardens, Calif., by way of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, captured the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship with an emphatic victory over game veteran Eric Morel on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday night at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas.
In the co-feature, Anselmo Moreno, the slick and talented Panamanian world champion, cruised to victory over David de la Mora with a ninth-round technical knockout.
Mares, who recently vacated the IBF bantamweight title, brought considerable power up to 122 pounds and seemed to sacrifice none of his hand speed. Morel, 10 years Mares’ senior, is a veteran of nine world title fights and a former two-time world champion. Morel admitted coming into the fight that this could be his last shot at one of boxing’s crowns. The Puerto Rico native, now living and fighting out of Madison, Wisconsin, came to win, but Mares’ confidence and ability won the night.
Fighting aggressively for every minute of every round, Mares dominated from the early going with a damaging body attack. He moved fluidly from the body to the head, stunning Morel on several occasions.
What Morel gave up in age, he made up for in heart. Morel withstood the punishment dolled out by the younger Mares. He gave a valiant effort right through the final two rounds, making the 11th and 12th the two most exciting and competitive of the bout.
“If this is the last major fight of his career,” said Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein during the telecast, “and it very well could be, he has nothing to be ashamed of.”
The judges had it unanimously for Mares by scores of 120-107 and 119-109 twice. The young star improved his record to 24-0-1 (13 KO’s) and is looking for his next challenge – a fight with the super bantamweight division’s elite.
After the bout, a joyful Mares said the move up in weight was a good one for him. “I felt a lot stronger at this weight. I felt complete.
“I have to say Eric was very strong. I was surprised he withstood the pressure. He went out like a true champion. That last round was a great round for both of us.”
The modest champion continued, “I feel I still need to improve. I am still learning. Sometimes I make it brawl when I don’t have to, so there’s definitely more I can do.”
When asked if he had been 10 years younger tonight, Morel said, “The (age) doesn’t matter. He probably would have done the same thing. He’s a great fighter. He’s one of the best I’ve ever faced. I have nothing to be ashamed of. He put on a great performance. What else can I say?”
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Classy southpaw Anselmo Moreno scored an eighth stoppage over David De La Mora to retain the WBA Bantamweight crown.
Moreno dominated the action as he dropped De La Mora in round’s two and six from body shots and De La Mora seemed disinterested as he found it almost impossible to hit Moreno in return and decided he had enough after the eighth.
Moreno is now 33-1-1 with twelve knockouts. De La Mora is now 24-2.
Unheralded Light Heavyweight Rowland Bryant scored a stunning third round stoppage over former three time world title challenger in a scheduled ten round bout.
Bryant landed some hard shots in the first round. Andrade was cut from a headbutt in round one. In round three, Bryant landed a right hand that rocked Andrade and then followed up with several consecutive ripping shots to the head and the fight was stopped at 2:19.
Bryant of Orlando, FL is now 16-1 with eleven knockouts. Andrade is now 30-5.
Luis Ramos Jr. scored a ten round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Daniel Attah in a Lightweight bout.
Ramos was more active with his combination punching where Attah landed some decent shots but they were one at a time. Ramos scored a knockdown in round three from a left to the top of the head.
Ramos won by scores of 100-89; 99-91; 99-91 and is now 22-0. Attah is now 26-10-1
Recent Golden Boy signee Francisco Vargas scored a third round stoppage over Rafael Lora in a Super Featherweight bout scheduled for six rounds.
Vargas battered Lora all over the ring in the third round until the fight was stopped at 2:27.
Vargas is 10-0-1 with eight knockouts. Lora is now 11-8.
