Bantamweight

The IBF has granted Don King his request for an immediate rematch following the controversial championship fight between his fighter Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares was greatly affected by what the IBF calls, "inappropriate conduct by the referee" that affected the fight's outcome.

IBF Champions Chairman Lindsay Tucker told Ring Magazine that "Don King filed a formal complaint, and we received that protest yesterday. We just did what we thought was the right thing to do."

According to Boxing Scene, a purse bid has been scheduled for September 15 and the match must take place before December 14th.

The action packed August 13th fight between Mares and Agbeko for the IBF bantamweight (118 lbs) world title was marred by lowblows from Mares that the referee didn't catch or simply just warned Mares about.

Never once did the referee take any points away from the challenger.

The most reprehensible moment of referee Russell Mora's bad performance came in the eleventh round when he began to count Agebeko out when he went down from a blatant hard low blow.

Agebko beat the count and continued the fight, losing his IBF title by a close majority decision. One has to feel he could've won had the referee been more fair and firm with his officiating.

In the controversial aftermath of Showtime's bantamweight tourney finals between Abner Mares and Joseph Agbeko for the IBF bantamweight world title, WBC and WBO bantamweight world champion Nonito Donaire (26-1, 18 KOs) has issued a challenge to the winner and criticism to the referee.

According to Phil Boxing, Donaire called referee Russel Mora a "horrible referee" after he awarded a knockdown to Mares (22-0-1, 13 KOs) in Round 11 for landing a low blow on Agbeko (28-2, 22 KOs) that caused the former champ to take a knee in pain.

The referee also failed to deduct any points from Mares for his repeated low blows throughout the night. Even Al Bernstein, legendary commentator for Showtime fights, was appalled as he called it, "the most disgraceful performance of a referee that I have seen in the past 15 years."

According to Ring Magazine, Donaire doesn't have an opponent lined up for his October 22 fight date at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California which is set to air live on HBO.

Donaire had this to say about a possible unification match with Mares, “if they want to make it happen I’m always ready to fight him. I don’t mind whoever they put in front of me. If they want to get Mares, I don’t mind.”

When questioned about Mares' habit of landing low blows, Donaire replied, "I don’t think he can because he won’t be able to catch me.”

As much as a fight with Donaire might be of interest, Agbeko and his promoter Don King have even heavier interests in a rematch after feeling their championship was stolen by bad refereeing.

Allan Hopper of Don King productions said the following to Ring Magazine, “I talked to Don after the fight and he said ‘I love Keith Kizer, I love the Commission, but they need to make this right.’ There will be protests filed everywhere that protests can be filed.”

Kizer is the executive director of the NSAC (Nevada State Athletics Commission) and if King is going to him with his complaints, then Agbeko's team is serious about getting a rematch. Donaire might have to wait until early next year to land a unification match.

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With this new tournament format they have been trying out, Showtime has given boxing fans something we have desperately wanted for years: the best of a good division fighting the best.

Abner Mares, Yohnny Perez, Joseph Agbeko and Vic Darchinyan slugged it out in war after war to see who would contend in last night's final. Agbeko and Mares ended up in the showdown. All throughout the week, I could feel my excitement growing for this legitimate championship fight, this true boxing event.

It seemed to me that there was no way I could leave the fight disappointed. After all, I enjoy watching both fighters, their styles often produce exciting mix-ups and most importantly, they seemed to be very evenly matched. I was wrong. Oh so very wrong.

The night started well. Mares came out with guns blazing in the first round. Agbeko got his feet tangled up and fell to the canvas, which was improperly ruled a knockdown. It looked like a trip to me initially, but when Agbeko rose, he seemed hurt and Mares poured it on, so I ignored it. Usually, an improperly called knockdown is a big story in a close fight. We had not even seen the beginning of what Russell Mora could do.

Mares likes to throw his punches low, daring the referee to stop him. This time, the referee did absolutely nothing. Every couple of flurries, Mora would break them, warn Agbeko for holding behind the head and say "keep 'em up, Abner." Then he would let them continue to fight, watching on as Mares continued to hit Agbeko below the belt.

This ugly mess came to a head in the 11th round. After already having delivered a flagrant and unpenalized low blow where it hurts the most, Mares ripped Agbeko with a left uppercut clean on the groin. The entire crowd—and Agbeko—reeled in agony. Finally, I thought to myself, he has to take away a point now.

Little did I know who I was dealing with. Mora squatted down in front of Agbeko and began to count. It almost took me a second to realize what he was doing. He was calling a knockdown.

The fight was scored a majority decision for Mares, but it begs the question what would have happened with a competent referee. Two blown knockdowns and a point deduction that wasn't matter in the scoring of a fight. Big time. Mora was so poor that he made the judges look bad.

There is only one honorable course of action for Abner Mares: give Joseph Agbeko the rematch. As a matter of fact, I think that Showtime should use every ounce of strength they have and force Mares to rematch Agbeko, this time in a neutral site, away from Mares' home state of California.

There is no reason NOT to give Agbeko the rematch. Mares did not prove anything last night. Could he have won the fight on clean terms? Maybe, but I still could not tell you. And besides, it is not like he is going to unify the division any time soon.

Both of these guys are bumps on the rails of the Nonito Donaire Express. They get hit too much to withstand a surgeon-like power puncher like Donaire. So why fight him right away? What would be better for his reputation, doing the honorable thing and extending his hand or being viciously, brutally knocked out? Because that is where Mares is headed right now.

As for Russell Mora himself, his performance was so uniquely horrendous that it is hard to even say he did a bad job. He could not be that incompetent. I refuse to even entertain the possibility. He was in perfect position to see most of the low blows, including the knockdown and just ignored them. He warned Mares tie and time again but nothing ever came of it.

Since this is boxing, I will not give him the benefit of the doubt and just say that he did a poor job. No. He did exactly what he was supposed to do. That was crooked, ladies and gentlemen. That stunk to high heaven of Golden Boy paying off the ref, only I cannot imagine that they thought he would be so obvious about it.

Last night was sad, really. The very best boxing had to offer, a championship fight between two legitimate contenders, was tainted and ruined by the seedy underbelly of the sport. Now is when I am glad that I have a column here, because I need your help. Showtime did an admirable job calling Mora to task, at first during the fight and then with notoriously callous interviewer Jim Gray immediately after.

But they need to know that we DEMAND to see these two fight again, preferably with the Tournament Championship still on the line. Tweet at them (@SHO_Network), use their website suggestion box (sho.com), call them (212-708-1600), write them a letter (Showtime Networks Inc., 1633 Broadway, New York, NY, 10019). However is best for you to contact them, do it.

During the broadcast, when Al Bernstein was still trying to decide how hard he wanted to go after Mora, outraged tweets started flooding into the station. As it became clear that the viewers were incensed by Mares' and Mora's conduct, the broadcast team started to heat up. They listen to what you have to say. It works, people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3ldZ2o13CU

The Showtime Bantamweight Tournament concluded with Abner Mares (22-0-1, 13 KO) taking a closely contested but foul-filled majority-decision over former champion Joseph Agbeko (28-3, 22 KO) last night.

Mares won with the scores 113-113, 115-111 and 115-111 over 12 rounds to win the IBF and WBC Silver bantamweight titles. Two knockdowns were scored in the bout for the Mexican boxer, and they both bring controversy along with numerous low blows for referee Russell Mora.

A knockdown was scored in the first round and Agbeko tripped and fell outside the ropes. A punch landed but it didn't appear to be what put Agbeko through the ropes.

Mares, who has had problems keeping his shots above the belt before, began to hit Agbeko low early in the bout. To no warning by referee Mora, Mares continued to go low throughout the bout. They were unintentional, but they were bothering Agbeko.

"I don't help the fighters," Mora said in response to whether or not Mares would have won without his help. "I enforce the rules. First and foremost, I have to enforce the rules. Those punches were on the beltline. It's a fair punch. I have to call it fair. It'd be unfair to give the advantage to the other guy just because he says it low."

Showtime commentator Al Bernstein called it one of the worst jobs of officiating he has seen in the last 15 years.

"The first knockdown was clearly," Mares said. "The second knockdown—he saw that I hit him right on the beltine. He was pulling back. That was the ref's call, and I thought it was fair. When he was pulling me down, I was going for body shots. They were right on the beltine. I never hit him low."

"I don't know why, especially all the boxers from Africa, why this happens to them every time," said Agbeko, who loses for the first time since avenging his defeat to Yonnhy Agbeko last year. "When I fought Vic Darchinyan, I was fighting the referee and Vic. When I was fighting Yonnhy Perez, the same thing happened. I had a headbutt, and still the referee contact me. I'm fighting Abner Mares, and still the same thing happened to me.

"I got over 20 low punches," Agbeko continued. "He never warned him. He never did anything."

Nonito Donaire (26-1, 18 KO), the 28-year-old bantamweight (118 lbs) titlist, has re-signed with Bob Arum's Top Rank.

After initially attempting to leave Top Rank for Golden Boy earlier in the year, Donaire has confirmed in a statement released Monday night that he's signed to a lucrative four-year deal.

According to The Ring boxing website, Donaire had this to say about the situation in the release:

"I am very happy and pleased to announce a recent reconciliation between Top Rank, and myself.

There were some details that required attention, and I feel confident now that my professional goals are being understood and respected by Top Rank. And we have likewise come to a mutual understanding and agreement as far as our common objectives in boxing and how we can work better together as a team."

Top Rank has said that they are looking at offers from both HBO and Showtime to host the next Donaire fight in October.

Top Rank President Todd duBoef was very happy to have the matter resolved. "We are thrilled to move forward with Nonito, his team and capitalize on what we have built together," he said.

Donaire last knocked out Fernando Montiel (44-3-2, 34 KO) in just under two rounds this past February.

That victory earned Donaire two of the world titles at bantamweight, If the Filipino boxer wishes to enhance his collection, the other world titlists such as Koki Kameda (25-1, 16 KO) and Joseph Agbeko (28-2-2, 22 KO) are still major opponents.

With Top Rank, Donaire could always move up to super bantamweight (122 lbs) to face the likes of Mexican legend Jorge Arce (57-6-2, 44 KO).

Arce became the best thing about the Pacquiao-Mosley fight card when he became the first fighter born of Mexico to with world titles in four weight classes when he pummeled WBO supclser bantamweight world champion at the time, Wilfredo Gomez Jr (19-1-1, 16 KO) into submission.

Arce is actually known for never losing to a Filipino, despite facing many throughout the years. Perhaps Donaire could be the first Filipino to beat Arce, snatching his own world title in a fourth weight class.

The boxing world can now rejoice knowing its other Filipino hero (besides Manny Pacquiao) is fighting once again this October.

On Saturday night, Abner Mares (21-0-1 13 KO's) will face Joseph Agbeko (28-2 22 KO's) in the Bantamweight tournament final. This tournament is one of two boxing tournaments currently underway. The other is the Super Middleweight tournament which has another year until its conclusion. 

Oscar De La Hoya, who manages Mares, had nothing but good things to say about the current tournament trend in boxing in an interview with Knock Out Digest.

"What Showtime has done with the Bantamweight division, with the Super Middleweight division is outstanding. We really have to give them a lot of credit for creating interest once again in the Super Middleweight division and the Bantamweight division that you have great fighters participating with Abner and Agbeko and even Vic Darchinyan and Johnny Perez."

The Bantamweight division is one of the deepest divisions in boxing. Nonito Donaire, who is regarded as the best in the division, wasn't even included in the tournament and will most likely face the tournament winner and Abner Mares wants to make sure that will happen.

"Agbeko or myself should definitely fight Donaire because he has two of the most recognized titles and he is considered pound-for-pound one of the best. I think it will be a little bit of frustration from both of us not to fight such a great fighter, to get that opportunity. But again you know the audience and people know it’s not our fault. If it was up to us well we’ll fight him, either of us. Because that’s what type of fighters we are."

These tournaments create great matchups that fans want to see. Even when a tournament concludes the tournament participants can continue to fight top tier fighters who were excluded from the tournament.

Too many times promoters get in the way of good fights just to protect their investment. If the fight does not happen then Mares is prepared for whatever situation is thrown his way.

"I don’t see any other fight that he (Donaire) could fight at Bantamweight so if he decides to move up to Super Bantamweight he’ll leave the titles vacant for any of us to take you know so there’s no wrong decision here…it’s his promotion, it’s his career and hopefully either of us get’s that chance."

It will be an exciting night of boxing at the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles which also features Bantamweights Vic Darchinyan (35-3-1 27 KO's) vs. Yonnhy Perez (20-1-1 14 KO's) for the vacant IBO Bantamweight title.

Last Saturday evening while many fight fans were getting their beer and chicken wings ready for a good night of boxing fights to watch on the television, KING J was meeting up with IBO bantamweight champion Abner Mares 21(13)-0-1.

Mares is fighting the biggest fight of his life against IBF bantamweight champion Joseph "King Kong" Agbeko 28(22)-2 in the finals of the Showtime Bantamweight Tournament at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, Calif., Saturday, April 23, which can be seen live on Showtime.

KING J shot a very in-depth exclusive interview video with Mares, as the two talked about everything from his training camp for the Agbeko fight, his very humble beginnings dealing with extreme poverty, gang life, his goals for his boxing career, to his thoughts on boxing's biggest stars Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Abner Mares is being hyped as the next big thing on the Showtime network, and should he win his fight on Saturday against Agbeko, he will skyrocket his career onto the next level with the guaranteed stock-rising exposure that this tournament will provide.

Prior to meeting Abner I, like many of you, may have assumed that he was just another punk ass gang banger turned boxer who was going to act hard and be a total douche bag. I could have not been more wrong. Abner is probably the nicest fighter I have ever met so far. Extremely nice, humble and genuine. He also has a very inspiring Cinderella type of story that will indeed move you, and if you were not already a fan then after you watch this video, you will definitely be a fan of his.

Also Abner and I actually became bros from this interview and he promised to go eat at Red Lobster with me after each of his fights from now on.

The following are some of the hard-hitting questions from the exclusive Abner Mares interview video.

Interview

KING J: So Abner how are you? How did your training camp go? How ready are you for Joseph Agbeko come April 23rd? Also what can we expect in this fight?

Abner Mares: I'm ready. If I were to fight this weekend... I'd be more than ready. Weight is perfect. The camp we started really early. This fight is really tough against Joseph "King Kong" Agbeko. He's a great strong fighter, but we are here to prove something and we will do it come April 23rd.

KING J: We talked to the legendary Al Bernstein about your fight with Agbeko, and he was a bit concerned about how you are deciding to brawl more these days instead of being a boxer/puncher; he feels your technique suffers a bit when you do that.

Abner Mares: Well he's the expert that's for sure. Obviously he knows that I can box and not just brawl. A lot of people think that I am just a brawler just there to get hit and throw back, but I'm also a good boxer. So I'm just going to try to relax in this fight. It's going to be tough cause the fight's here in L.A. and the crowd is going to be cheering for me so I hope I can try to control that energy and excitement and try not to make it too much of a slug fest.

KING J: You know before this Showtime Bantamweight Tournament even began it seemed Showtime was already grooming you to be their next big star, their next poster boy. They were talking about how you were the favorite to win this tournament and on top of that how you were the best looking fighter in the tournament. But come on now, these are exactly the Sergio Martinez and Oscar De La Hoya looking fighters of the sport here.

Abner Mares: Well Joseph "King Kong" Agbeko... I think the name says it all. (laughing)

KING J: All the way back in November we talked to Nonito Donaire, who favored you to win the whole tournament. He even favored you to win the whole tournament before it even began. Also It seems if it were really up to him, minus the promoter beef/politics, he views you as the biggest and best fight at 118, and I think that is the real fight that all the fight fans want to see happen at 118, again minus all the promoter Top Rank/Golden Boy/BadBoy/DeathRow beef.

Abner Mares: It's a honor, its big to hear that from Donaire saying that he favors me to win this tournament, that says a lot. As he proved himself with Montiel getting that tremendous knock out his  out over Montiel, I'm here do the same with Agbeko. We both know that will be a huge fight for our careers. He's got the whole Philippines behind him, and I got part of Mexico and part of the U.S. and a lot of people behind me too. It would be a great fight and thank you Donaire for that and I wish we could do a fight but first we need to take care of business on the April 23rd.

KING J: You know I am good friends with your boxing Hall-of-Fame manager Frank Espinoza. He is a real inspiring man to see how he came up from nothing and how he worked so hard to become a successful respectful business man and manager in this sport of boxing is pretty much unheard of. I mean boxing has some of the most corrupt shady people on the planet, I mean some of these boxing guys make an evil dictator of a third-world nation look like Mr. Rogers, and you seemed to land one of the very few unique individuals in the sport who is actually ethical and is respected in terms of how he does business and represents his fighters.

(See the video to see Abner Mares respond to this question)

KING J: Now we all know if you are an Espinoza fighter it is in your contract that Frankie Jr. must lift you you up if you win the fight. Now here's the real question you and fellow Espinoza stablemate Yhonny Perez fought to a highly debatable close draw shouldn't Frankie have lifted both of you up after that fight since it was ruled a draw?

(See the video to see Abner Mares respond to this question)

KING J: Pretty much everyone and their mama, many ringside experts, including myself, and even the chick I brought to that fight who knows nothing about boxing, all felt you should have won that fight. Usually people who don't know how to score a fight like this chick I brought often think the winner is the one who is the busier, more active fighter, throwing more and landing more and doing the more damage to your opponent. Did you learn something from this experience?

(See the video to see Abner Mares respond to this question)

KING J: I remember that night at the Staples Center it was obviously predominantly a Mexican crowd it being LA of course and having Marquez and Vazquez as the main event, but Perez had one section of the stadium full of his Colombian fans and they were much louder and energetic than the rest of the Staples Center combined. Do you remember that? Those were the most loudest, hardcore fans I have ever seen for any fighter! Did that distract you in that fight? There were literally grandmas screaming and dancing! It was like Def Comedy Jam for grandmas.

(See the video to see Abner Mares respond to this question)

KING J: We have a bunch of good fights going on tonight such as Juan Manuel Lopez versus Salido. So you fought Puerto Rican sensation Juan Manuel Lopez in the amateurs, and word is you schooled him. What happened in that fight? Lopez is really starting to blow up now. Do you see yourself going up in weight later and fighting him again now that you both are professional super stars? How far up do you see yourself going up in weight class?

 Abner Mares: Three tough fights. I fought him three times in the amateurs. In the Central American Games, the Pan American Games, once in his hometown in Puerto Rico. Tough fights man. Really exciting fights we had all the people on their feet. Now that this guy (Lopez) is on such a high level now it really motivates me a lot and gives me encouragement to know that I fought and beat him three times. Maybe later on in the future we will end up fighting again. I'm sure he wants to settle the score.

I want to do one or two more fights at bantamweight. God willing everything goes well with this fight (Agbeko) and then go up to super bantamweight and then most definitely featherweight and then go up until I can't eat no more. (laughing)

KING J: The two current biggest stars in boxing are Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. You were at one point trained for a very short time by Mayweather Senior, and you met Money May very early on in your career. Obviously you would want to be the first Abner Mares, but which of the two fighters do you think you would like to be more like inside and outside the ring? Also who wins that fight? (Pacquiao vs Mayweather)

Abner Mares: I would want to be more like Manny Pacquiao....

KING J: Now is he that Filipino guy? (interrupting in a sarcastic manner)

Abner Mares: Yeah... you know who I'm talking about right? (confused)

Manny is such a humble guy. Everything he says you can tell he means it and it comes from the heart. When he fights he fights for the people. You know he's not just there for the paycheck. He's there for the people, he's there to fight and give the people a great show. As we all know with Floyd he even says he's fighting for the money and not the people. He's not there to entertain the crowd, not there to please us the people who are actually paying for the tickets. 

So a winner between those too obviously I'd go with Pacquiao. Let's just say I see him beating him (Mayweather). His style is just too difficult for Mayweather, and he won't even see him since Pacquiao is everywhere.

KING J: I got to look up this guy Pacquiao since everyone keeps talking about him. (sarcastically)

(Abner Mares now smiles knowing it's a joke)

KING J: So school all of us on how it was growing up in Hawaiian Gardens. For those of us who are not from LA, the name alone Hawaiian Gardens sounds like a beautiful magical place. I just came back from Hawaii myself and its literally paradise over there, but I'm assuming HG is bit different from Hawaii how was it growing up there?
(See the video to see Abner Mares respond to this question)

KING J: A lot of us read the RING magazine article on you and we saw you had a very hard life growing up in Hawaiian Gardens and you were heavily into the gang culture and unfortunately you lost a lot of your friends and family. A lot of them passed away and a lot of them got locked up. It seems what I got out of the article was you were really blessed to get out almost untouched with almost nothing really bad ever happening to you. What are your thoughts on that?

(See the video to see Abner Mares respond to this question)

KING J: So real quick what do you have to say to all these youngsters who are thinking about joining a gang. Should they join a gang? Or should they become a world champion instead?

(See the video to see Abner Mares respond to this question)

KING J: Usually I can't stand when fighters dress up in gimmick cheesy costumes like how Bernard Hopkins wears a S&M mask into the ring, but I love your trademark bandanna around your mouth. I think all the fans agree that look goes real hard. What inspired you to come up with that? Is it a throwback look to your younger hard thug ways growing up in HG?
 

(See the video to see Abner Mares respond to this question)

KING J: Many of us read about your very inspiring story in the RING Magazine and how hard you had it growing up very poor with no father, no money and no food. You had eat out of a dumpster behind Walmart just to survive and now these days you are eating at 5-star Beverly Hills restaurants, eating sushi with the heavyweight champion Klitschko. Is that the sickest upgrade ever?

 (See the video to see Abner Mares respond to this question)

KING J: I always ask all the fighters I interview to break down their overall work out routines in training camp, including diet so that we can inspire the fans to take better care of themselves. So what does an average day of your training camp involve? How many miles do you run? How many rounds do you spar? How many sit ups? Push ups? etc?
 Abner Mares: Definitely. I recently started with a new nutritionist/conditioning coach/trainer Luis Garcia. I wake up really early every morning around 5:00 AM go running at 5:30 AM. I do my roadwork. Come back home. Drink my protein shake. Egg whites, oatmeal, depending on what I eat for breakfast. Take vitamins go to sleep. Get back up brush my teeth. Wash up real quick go to the gym around 12. Hit the gym, you know boxing. Then I go back home and eat a nice meal which is chicken, fish, vegetables. All that good stuff. Again vitamins, fill up on fluids. Then I walk around for a little while be there with my family, my daughter and then I go back to sleep. Wake up then I go to LA Fitness with my nutritionist/conditioning coach Luis Garcia. Work little bit on my arms and on my strength. So all that is new to me but it works out.

KING J: So how many miles do you run daily?

Abner Mares: We change it, so usually eight to 10 miles or we like to keep it six to seven miles.

KING J: How many push ups?/Sit ups?

Abner Mares: About 300 depending how I'm feeling. Pull ups, push ups, sit ups. Weights. All that natural stuff none of that heavy lifting stuff.

KING J: How many rounds do you spar?

Abner Mares: We spar three times a week. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Most of the time we spar six, six and six. We pick it up to eight and then 10 and then we do about three or four 12 rounds.

KING J: We all know Mexicans are the hardest of hardcore fans of boxing. For all the haters who claim boxing is dying or even dead I always say as long as there are Mexican fans, Mexican fighters the sport of boxing will always be alive and will be a force. With legends like Julio Cesar Chavez retired and Mexican American cash cows like Oscar De La Hoya retired and great master boxers like Juan Manuel Marquez approaching the end of his career, it seems Mexico and Mexican Americans are longing for that next great Mexican champion to stand up and take over. If we are keeping it completely real despite what many are saying about the hype surrounding another red-haired Mexican fighter which we will not name, the real fight fans who really know boxing view you as the next logical Mexican super star to have the torch passed to.

(See the video to see Abner Mares respond to this question)

KING J: Are you aware of the KING J good luck charm? Basically whenever KING J posts a picture of himself with one of his favorite fighters on his profile, that fighter usually wins their current fight in a big huge fashion. For example prior to the Pacquiao/Hatton fight I posted a picture of me and Manny, and we all know how that fight ended. Same with Sergio Martinez/Paul Williams II, I posted a picture of me and him on my profile, and we all know how that fight ended. Mostly recently I posted a picture with me and Nonito Donaire prior to his fight with Montiel, and well, you know. So I think to wish you good luck with Agbeko we should take a picture together, and I should post it up.

 Abner Mares: So I guess you better post a picture of me (smiling)........  Do not leave before taking a picture before with me please. (laughing)

KING J:  Alright I want to wish you the best of luck with your fight with Agbeko. We will definitely take that picture. I know you are going to put on a great performance and win over so many thousands and millions of new fans out there. What would you like to say to all your fans out there.

Abner Mares: Everyone thank you for following me. Follow future champion Abner Mares. I am here to give great fights and to fight for you guys. Follow me on my journey. Read my article in the RING magazine (April issue Vitali Klitschko on the cover). Read up on my story. Hopefully it inspired a lot of you guys. Thank you and God bless.

Subscribe:          http://www.youtube.com/KingJ323

Follow on Twitter:          http://twitter.com/KingJ323

In just over a week from now, Showtime Sports' second foray into tournament boxing will come to a close.

The Bantamweight Tournament Final: Winner Takes All will conclude at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 23 when Joseph King Kong Agbeko (28-2, 22 KOs) puts his IBF portion of the championship on the line against that of Aber Mares (21-0-1, 13 KOs) and his WBC Silver crown.

In the televised co-featured bout of the night fellow tournament participants Vic Darchinyan (35-3-1, 27 KOs) and Yohnny Perez (20-1-1, 14 KOs) will do battle to determine the runner up. In the semi-final bouts Agbeko and Mares bested Perez and Darchinyan respectively.

Here’s a quick look at some of the quotes all four combatants provided on yesterday morning’s media conference call:

You’re both coming off disappointing defeats in the Semifinals. What do you have to prove?

DARCHINYAN: In my last fight I showed skills for all 12 rounds and didn’t go bombing for a knockout. But no more, I’m changing my style again. I’m going to knock out everyone in front of me. This time it’s Yohnny Perez, I’m just coming to knock him out. I’m just coming to destroy him. You will see. People talk about when I moved to bantamweight and say I’m not as powerful as I was at 115 pounds? You will see how powerful I am at bantamweight.

PEREZ: “I have nothing to prove. Everyone knows me; I’m a former world champion. Right now I’m just concentrating on Vic Darchinyan. I feel 100 percent confident. On April 23 everyone will see a great fight.

Yohnny, the first time you fought Agbeko you won. What did you do wrong or what did you change in the second fight that you lost?

PEREZ: “In the first fight Agbeko came to fight and slug it out with me. In the second fight Agbeko came to box. Agbeko fought a great fight and he beat me. I’m not taking anything away from him.”

Yohnny, have you ever sparred with Vic or watched his fights?

PEREZ: “I’ve watched Darchinyan fight before because we work with the same promoters. Darchinyan is going to do his job and I’m going to do my job and, at the end, the promoter is going to come out winning because whoever wins is from the same promoter. But we’re going to give a great fight. Darchinyan is a great person and it’s just part of the sport. We respect it and we’re going to do 100 percent for the fans.”

Yohnny, it seemed like you flattened out in the second half of the last fight. What was the reason for that?

PEREZ: “I was frustrated with the fight. Mentally, I was just down. The cut hurt me a lot. It was something that happened and it won’t happen again. I’m ready for this fight.”

Yohnny, how did going back to Colombia and training with your family help you for this fight?

PEREZ: “It was a great motivation for me because I was close to my family; I got to see my kids all the time. And that’s the reason I’m fighting – I’m fighting for my kids. That motivated me and that why I feel like I’m ready for this fight.”

Vic, what kind of impact do you think the Armenian community will have on your fight?

DARCHINYAN: “I’m very excited to fight in front of the crowd. It’s great to have because you get more motivated for the fight. I love to fight in America, I love to fight in California. I’ve never lost in California, I love it. The stadium is a nice stadium, a fancy stadium. It’s great to fight here.”

Vic, where do you see the fight ending?

DARCHINYAN: “I’m coming to knock him out. He’s a good fighter, it’s nothing personal, I’m just coming to knock him out. I’m just going to punch the left and the right with damaging punches. I’m just coming to destroy him. I’m looking for a knockout in the fourth round. Is it going to happen, I don’t know.

Yohnny, how will you prepare for Vic and counteract his technique?

PEREZ: “I’m prepared for however Darchinyan comes out. If he comes out to slug I’m going to slug with him. If he comes to box, I’m going box. I’m prepared for whatever Darchinyan brings to me. We’re just ready.”

Vic, you’re fighting in a consolation fight. Are there any issues with motivation?

DARCHINYAN: “I’m a professional and I’m concentrating on my next opponent. What’s happened in the past stays in the past. I’m just looking forward to this fight.”

Yohnny, can you answer the same question?

PEREZ: “I have motivation in my family. I fight for my kids so they’re better off, my family back home, friends, everybody. I fight for my country and my family. I’m just taking this fight as another fight that I need to win to get to that title shot again.”

Who do you think is going to win between Agbeko and Mares?

DARCHINYAN: “I don’t care about who’s going to win. I just want to fight the winner. I’m looking forward to my next fighter.”

PEREZ: “Both fighters are great fighters. But my friend Abner Mares is going to win this fight and he’ll be a world champion. I know how hard he’s worked for it and it’s his time.”

Yohnny, you’ve fought them both. Do you think you should be first up to challenge the winner of the tournament?

PEREZ: “I believe so. That’s why I’m getting ready for this fight because I know that the winner of this fight will take the next step to getting a rematch with either fighter.”

Vic, what would you tell your Armenian fans?

DARCHINYAN: “Boxing is about excitement. I’m not coming just to win the fight; I’m coming to bring excitement. I want excitement. I want to fight bigger guys. I want to fight world champions. I want to just prove my point and show everyone how strong I am at the moment. I have my style, I am who I am. I’m just going to show everything in the ring. You’re going to see my punches and you’re going to hear my punches.”

“On the other side of the world in Armenia, April 24 is a very big day for Armenia. It’s the Genocide of Armenia. I want everyone to see this fight and see how motivated I am for this fight. All my team is going to come and remember 1915. It’s a very big day for Armenia.”

DARCHINYAN & PEREZ CLOSING COMMENTS:

PEREZ: “I just want to thank Showtime for putting this tournament together. And I want to thank the promoters. This is a big event and hopefully there are more events that can follow this.”

DARCHINYAN: “I’m fighting on Showtime. I want to do something special. I want to put all my exciting fights on Showtime. ”

AGBEKO & MARES OPENING COMMENTS:

AGBEKO: “I want to thank Showtime for putting together this tournament. Abner Mares is a very good fighter but I know I’m the best bantamweight in the world and I’m going to win on April 23.”

MARES: “I want to thank Showtime for giving me this opportunity to showcase myself. I’m prepared 100 percent for this fight. I’m really focused and I’m going as a champion and I’m defending my title, too. It’s destiny. About a year ago this time I was training to fight Yohnny Perez, who I fought on May 22 of last year. Now I’m ready to fight Joseph Agbeko on April 23. It’s destiny, it’s a year apart. It’s the same belt – I let it go once, it slipped away from my hands, and I got a draw. I shook it off and we worked harder. Now we have a second chance. Not many people get second chances and I’m just going to take advantage of it.”

Abner, is there anyone you’ve fought that you can compare style-wise with Agbeko?

MARES: “I’ve said it before, I don’t like to study tapes or an opponent because you don’t know what’s he going to bring in. When he comes to fight you it could be totally different. I’ve never faced a fighter like Joseph Agbeko – Agbeko is a complete fighter, he can box, he can bomb, he can do whatever he wants in the ring. Really, it comes down to whatever style he brings in – we have to work with it and adapt to his style.”

Abner, can you talk about how that setback against Perez affected you?

MARES: “A loss or even a draw, which motivates you more, it depends on the person. I took it really serious and went back and worked extremely hard. I had the chance to fight for a world title and I got a draw, which I pretty much consider a loss. I didn’t get the title so I just went back in the gym and trained harder. Now I have a second chance and I have to take advantage of it.”

Joseph, how did the loss to Perez outside the tournament affect you?

AGBEKO: “After losing to Yohnny Perez I learned a couple of lessons and I’ve been working very hard since then. I had the chance to get back with the Showtime Bantamweight Tournament and I was able to reclaim my belt from Yohnny Perez. The lessons I learned from the first fight are making me work harder and harder every day for the fight with Abner Mares.”

Abner, did the Perez fight help you in any way with motivation against Darchinyan?

MARES: “I think every fight that you fight you take something from it and you learn something from it. The Darchinyan fight was a really tough fight. The first couple of rounds didn’t go my way. I was cut and I was knocked down. I think what really helped me there was just the motivation and the strength, mentally, that I had just thinking about my family and not thinking about losing. Just the strength – mentally, I never gave up and I always continued to go forward and never had a losing mentality. I think that was the key in that fight.”

How do you think your styles will mesh in this fight?

MARES: “I think it’s going to be an exciting fight. Obviously, you’ve seen our styles and have seen us fight. We can both brawl, we can both box. It really just depends what we bring into the ring and how adapt to the styles. I like to give exciting fights. There are times, even Agbeko said, where you go toe-to-toe; I sometimes like that because it makes the fight interesting and exciting.”

AGBEKO: “I think we both are skillful and we both are very aggressive. Abner is a very strong guy and always like coming in and throwing a lot of punches. I can do the same. I believe it’s going to be a very beautiful fight. There’s going to be a lot of action in this fight. I think the smarter fighter is going to win this fight. We’re going to fight with our body, our strength and our energy and I think the smartest fighter is going to win.”

Abner, who do you think is going to win the Darchinyan-Perez fight?

MARES: “I have no comment on that fight. I just think it’s going to be a great fight because of their styles. Yohnny is a guy that is there to be hit – he’s forward, he doesn’t like to back up. And Darchinyan likes that. It can go both ways. If Darchinyan lands that left hand that he likes to land right on the chin I think Yohnny might go down. But, again, if it goes down to Yohnny being stronger and Darchinyan not being able to take his pressure, it goes both ways. I really don’t have a winner there; I just think it’s going to be a great fight.”

What do you like about this tournament?

AGBEKO: “I love this tournament. This tournament gave me a chance to get my title back from Perez. It’s a tournament where you’re not going to fight any other contender – you’re only fighting the best bantamweights in the world. You’re not going to fight the 15th contender or the 10th contender; you’re only going to fight the best bantamweights. If you come out of the tournament as the winner then you’re going to be the best bantamweight in the world. I think this tournament gives us a chance to prove ourselves and show we’re the best bantamweights. I really like the tournament so I with it could continue longer.”

MARES: “It’s helped me tremendously to get myself known out there. Back then, people would hear rumors about Abner Mares but I never had been showcased. Now, on Showtime, it really helps people recognize me and people recognize my fights. Showtime has done a tremendous job to showcase my style and showcase my life. For me, it worked out great. If they keep going with any other division it will definitely help not just the fighters but boxing as well.”

MARES: “When Agbeko said he’s similar to a Mexican fighter it’s because he’s a warrior who gives his all in the ring. He fights his heart out. He throws a lot of punches. He does have a little bit of everything in the ring. It’s going to be a great fight. He’s a champion and he’s a great champion.”

Joseph, what do you think are your advantages going into this fight?

AGBEKO: “I don’t think about advantages in any fight because I’ve been fighting very tough fighters for some time now. My advantage is going to be my heart. I’ve worked a lot on strength for this fight and I’ve worked a lot on speed. I would like to thank Showtime for giving me the opportunity to be in this tournament and to become a world champion again.”

Abner, what are your advantages?

MARES: My advantage is fighting here at home. I know that they say the people aren’t fighting for you; you’re the one going up in the ring. But the people and the crowd are the ones that feed you that energy. Once I get up in the ring and hear people cheer for me feeds me that energy to go the 12 rounds to fight an energetic fight. I want to thank everybody, especially Golden Boy Promotions. They started me from zero – I’m their first project. They turned from zero to a chance for a world title.”

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Questions and comments can be sent to: brianoblake@yahoo.com

Original story can be viewed on: SportsBettingWorld.com

Former WBO bantamweight champion Jhonny Gonzalez (48-7, 42 KO) knocked out WBC featherweight champion Hozumi Hasegawa (29-4, 12 KO) in the fourth round to win the title earlier today at the World Memorial Hall in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.

It was set to be Hasegawa's first defense after winning the title in November when he won a unanimous decision over previously unbeaten boxer Juan Carlos Burgos. That victory followed a fourth round knockout loss to former top 10 pound-for-pound fighter Fernando Montiel.

The 29-year-old Mexican-born boxer was being outboxed early on but landed a right hand to knock down the boxer fighting in front of his hometown. Hasegawa was able to beat the count but the referee waved off the bout after he decided he shouldn't continue.

Hasegawa was previously ranked 11th in the division by Ring Magazine. With the win, Gonzalez should emerge back into the top 10 of the division.

It was one of three title fights on the card, which all featured Japanese champions in the bantamweight and featherweight divisions.

On the undercard, Takahiro Ao (22-2-1, 10 KO) defended his WBC super-featherweight title when he knocked out Humberto Gutierrez (28-2-1) in the fourth round due to a body shot. It was his first defense of the title.

Toshiaki Nishioka (38-4-3, 24 KO) defended his WBC super-bantamweight championship for the fifth time since winning it in 2008 after knocking out Mauricio Javier Munoz (21-3). Nishioka also has a win over Gonzalez—a third round knockout in 2009. He has been unbeaten since 2004.

The top fighters in the super-bantamweight division include Hugo Cazares (34-6-2, 24 KO), Tomas Rojas (35-12-1, 23 KO) and Omar Narvaez (33-0-2, 19 KO). Nishioka and Ao will be looking to emerge as a top-10 fighters in the division and will need to take on another opponent or two before getting a shot at one of the best.

Check back tonight for Friday Night Fight updates and round-by-round coverage starting at 10p.m ET.

The newly crowned WBC and WBO Bantamweight world champion Nonito Donaire Jr. (26-1-0) is not the kind of champion that stays out of the public eye, making himself widely unavailable. Instead, this young professional takes things one day at a time, making every day count. 

Last Friday, March 4, 2011, I received information that Donaire Jr. might be attending a local San Francisco club. Apparently, there was a fundraiser that very same night in support of a young kid Andre (not 100 percent sure on the spelling), who got struck with cancer. Andre’s one dream was to be a boxer! He will be undergoing surgery soon, and we are all hoping he makes it out feeling like new. This very kid was the reason Donaire Jr. came out on Friday night, bringing in a huge crowd of fans, thus raising more money for Andre. 

I caught up with Donaire Jr. outside of the club for an exclusive one-on-one interview. We talked about his next possible bout in the Bay Area, his reuniting with his father Donaire Sr., Andre, and a few other interesting topics.—Donaire Jr. Exclusive Interview 

After the interview, we went inside the club, where Donaire Jr. turned off the ‘boxer’ character, and ignited the "party" one. It was very interesting to see the champ enjoying his time with a few drinks. Donaire Jr. and his wife Rachel were nice enough to invite me to their table, where I was able to take better pictures, and have an unreasonable amount of drinks!—Donaire Jr. the Party Animal! 

Thanks for reading!