Ref mars Mares win over Agbeko
Rising Mexican bantamweight Abner Mares (right) won a disputed majority decision over Ghana’s Joseph Agbeko at the Hard Rock in Vegas on Saturday night after Russell Mora turned in one of the most shameful performances refereeing a championship bout in recent memory. While Mares may have captured the Showtime Bantamweight Tournament crown in name, this win will do little to enhance his reputation among fight fans.
The source of the controversy was Mora’s inexplicable decision to ignore repeated low blows, mostly left hooks, that landed well south of the African’s beltline. After a reluctant warning at the end of the first round Mora steadfastly refused to deduct a point from Mares for going low, giving the younger fighter a key advantage. To pour salt on the wound Agbeko was repeatedly chastised for everything from rabbit punching to going in head-first, though no points were taken.
The most criminal aspect of Mora’s charade is how it denigrated what turned out to be a splendid contest nonetheless. Mares demonstrated why he was chosen to be Golden Boy Promotions’ first homegrown superstar and Agbeko roused himself from a slow start to come on strongly in the later rounds. Had he not been robbed by a low-blow knockdown in the 11th the majority decision could have easily been a draw or even a successful title defense.
“I demand an immediate rematch. This doesn’t make Abner Mares a champion. He is not the Showtime Bantamweight champion. No Way. You can’t be a champion with the ref fighting the other fight for you. No. I need a clean fight,” Agbeko said afterward, understandably incensed.
“Whenever a boxer is from Africa they always try to f…to cheat him.” Undoubtedly true, and likely applicable to many fields beyond boxing.
One other note - ring reporter Jim Gray’s tendency for stoking controversy, asking obnoxious questions and general preference for confrontation proved pitch-perfect on Saturday when he frankly told Mora that he had screwed up royally. Good for him. It’s time to start calling people out instead of sweeping these things under the rug; hopefully the Nevada Athletic Commission will take action.
Mora claimed in his defense that the shots had been legal but after being forced to watch a replay of the disputed knockdown he appeared to realize he had made a mistake. Well, mistake might be too generous. We take allegations of corruption very seriously and wouldn’t suggest anything of the sort in this occasion, but I don’t think anyone is shocked the tainted win went to the Golden Boy fighter. Refs are people too and they know who butters the bread.
Aside from the disgraceful officiating fans were treated to an excellent finale, featuring a speedy, well-schooled youngster against an awkward veteran in his prime. Agbeko was uncharacteristically lethargic at the outset and paid for it with a knockdown in the first when Mares caught him off-balance and sent him to the canvas. The Mexican’s superior speed allowed him to land his combinations while Agbeko relied mostly on a stiff jab and mediocre left hook.
But the 4th round saw Agbeko land a beautiful straight right as he began to take advantage of the occasional lazy jab from Mares. Abner showed resiliency and a good chin, stopping his advance only momentarily before recovering to fight again. Agbeko for his part was too cautious and never opened up as needed until the final three rounds. Still, after the 6th he began putting his punches together and throwing the right, which brought him storming back into the fight.
The last few rounds and final two in particular were fantastic fare for fight fans. Agbeko behaved as a champion should and appeared to have Mares seriously in peril but a delay for the low-blow knockdown sapped his momentum. With one judge deeming it a draw and two scoring it 115-111, Mora’s decision to turn the 11th into a 10-8 round for Mares may have decided the fight.
For his trouble Mares may get the much-discussed bantamweight championship bout with Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire, who likely has too much for the 2004 Mexican Olympian. Agbeko’s demand for an immediate rematch appears a more reasonable route given the pleasing contrast between their styles, but when have the fans ever played into the plans of promoters?
Before the fight began I noted the unfamiliar names of the judges and feared the fix was in; it turned out that all three did their judges admirably. Mora can claim no such thing. Showtime’s tournament produced four quality fights and at least one new TV star, so it can’t be deemed anything but a success. But the result of the finale will leave a bitter taste that can only be resolved by a second go-round. Here’s hoping Showtime is willing to exert its considerable influence to making that happen.