Agbeko vs Mares Odds: Titlist Agbeko the Underdog Against Mares

Tonight's bantamweight title fight between Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares is a fairly rare case of a titlist being the underdog against his challenger, with oddsmakers favoring the younger, probably fresher Mares by somewhat slight but solid lines:

Mares (21-0-1, 13 KO) and Agbeko (28-2, 22 KO) are both legitimate bantamweight contenders, top of the line fighters in the division, and outside of pound-for-pound star Nonito Donaire, they're the two best in the world right now at 118 pounds. There could well be money to be made here on the crafty, extra tough, highly durable, and aggressive Agbeko, but that's only if Agbeko's back injury from April is no longer a concern, and if you're certain that yesterday's mild struggles making weight won't hamper his performance on Saturday night.

What I'm guessing is that the injury is the biggest factor here. Without that, I'd see this as pretty much an even money fight. But I do think the young Mares deserves to be the favorite here.

As for specific outcome odds, Bodog has the following:

• Mares by KO/TKO/DQ: +550
• Mares by decision: -130
• Agbeko by KO/TKO/DQ: +350
• Agbeko by decision: +220
• Draw: +1800

Bad Left Hook will have live coverage tonight of Agbeko vs Mares, starting at 10 p.m. EDT.