Abner Mares Ordered to Defend IBF Title Against Vusi Malinga

by Scott Christ on Dec 22, 2011 8:02 AM EST in Boxing News Analysis

With no major challengers in line, Abner Mares could face Vusi Malinga next. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

South African promoter Branco Milenkovic says that his fighter, Vusi Malinga, is ready for the title shot he earned in October 2010 for the bantamweight title held now by Abner Mares, and that Mares has been ordered by the sanctioning body to defend within 90 days.

Malinga (20-3-1, 12 KO) has actually been inactive since October 2010, when he won a decision over Michael Domingo in an IBF eliminator. He was due to face Joseph Agbeko when Agbeko held the title, but that never came about for any number of reasons.

In the meantime, Mares won the belt in August from Agbeko, and then won a clearer decision in their IBF-ordered December rematch. Mares (23-0-1, 13 KO) isn't exactly overwhelmed right now by great contenders, though the bantamweight division is very good, and a fight with Malinga wouldn't be a bad way to start a title reign proper.

It's worth noting that Malinga was stopped in one round by Hozumi Hasegawa in March 2009, and would be a big underdog, but with Nonito Donaire moving up in weight, Anselmo Moreno focused on getting another TV fight in as a showcase next, and guys like Vic Darchinyan and Yonnhy Perez not really flying high right now, Malinga is part of the next group down, where a bunch of guys are pretty much on the same level. As much as I'd like to see someone like Malcolm Tunacao get the shot, Malinga earned his title shot by winning a fight for the title shot.

Mares could also vacate the IBF title if he wanted to, but one gets the feeling he doesn't want to do that, even though he does hold the WBC silver title as well.

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Comments

Maybe Mares could take this fight...

and use it as sort of a tune-up for a fight with Moreno down the road. That’s the one I wanna see.

by tylerj19 on Dec 22, 2011 10:28 AM EST reply actions

I’m sure that’s what they’re thinking…………get this mandatory out of the way, then move towards a unification fight against Moreno.

Maybe they’ll get Moreno to fight on the undercard (SHO).

by DPlainview on Dec 22, 2011 2:04 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, that seems right, and for what it is, it works. Moreno wants to fight in NYC next in March or April.

For what it’s worth, I really think I might favor Moreno in that one, but I also think it’ll be a damn good fight when it happens and give Mares a great chance. Those guys can box. Mares is more a fighter, but Moreno can be really slick.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Dec 22, 2011 4:02 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, b/f the Vic fight I wasn’t too impressed with Moreno…..just another belt holder, but now a different story.

by DPlainview on Dec 22, 2011 7:20 PM EST up reply actions

Moreno-Mares would be an amazing match up, and a hell of a fight. I’m looking past Malinga because he is an okay fighter, but knocked every time he’s stepped up. Malinga also been stopped by lighter punchers than Mares.

by 36_chambers_ofdeatH on Dec 22, 2011 6:24 PM EST reply actions