IBF Confirms Rematch Order for Abner Mares and Joseph Agbeko
by Scott Christ on Aug 16, 2011 3:00 PM EDT
in Boxing News Analysis
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The International Boxing Federation (IBF) is ordering an immediate rematch between new bantamweight titlist Abner Mares and Joseph Agbeko after their controversial fight on August 13, which aired live on Showtime as the finals of the network's four-man bantamweight tournament.
We'll have the full release from the IBF shortly, but they have confirmed that the rematch has been ordered.. Bad Left Hook has also put in a request with the Nevada commission for thoughts on referee Russell Mora's performance, but they have thus far not made any official comment.
Agbeko (28-3, 22 KO) and Mares (22-0-1, 13 KO) are still two of the top bantamweights in the world, and I think most would consider them the division's best outside of pound-for-pound contender Nonito Donaire. The fight itself was quite good, even with all of the fouling from Mares and the poor officiating, and a rematch with a referee that can control the action could be even better. There's no doubt that they both have crowd-pleasing styles that can mesh and make for a terrific fight, but we didn't fully get to see that on Saturday. Hopefully soon we will.
Update by Scott (3:05 p.m. EDT): Here's the full IBF statement.
IBF President Daryl Peoples and IBF Championships Chairman Lindsey Tucker completed their review of the IBF Optional Bantamweight Championship bout that took place on August 13, 2011 in Las Vegas, NV, between Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares.
Mr. Peoples and Mr. Tucker observed several low blow fouls committed by Abner Mares. While the referee, Russell Mora, issued numerous warnings for low blows during the course of the bout, he neglected to deduct points for these fouls. With 1:03 left in round eleven, Joseph Agbeko was hit with a low blow foul that forced him to the canvas. Mr. Mora determined that the blow landed by Mares was legal and began to count indicating that a knockdown had occurred.
Based upon their review of the bout, it has been determined by the IBF that inappropriate conduct by the referee affected the outcome of the fight.
In accordance with IBF/USBA Rule 3.D., the IBF is ordering a rematch between Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares for the IBF Bantamweight title which must be held within the next 120 days or by December 14, 2011.
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This is good news!! I had an idea they would; I long to hear what the NSAC has to say, if anything. Being that the rematch has been ordered—seems like they’ve got to at least say something. Expecting a DQ is probably expecting too much, but I’m going to hope anyway.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
Yeah unfortunately, I was praying for a no contest at least, but I knew that was very unlikely as well.
NSAC hasn’t issued any type of public statement yet. Strong rumor has it that Mora will not be seen at big event, tv-type fights for a long, long time, but won’t be suspended. There is very little hope of an NC or DQ, although in a right world that would for sure have been Agbeko’s win by DQ. I’m going to write again anyway. Can’t hurt.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
I heard back from the IBF with similar responses. I was going to post them, but Scott beat me to it. I haven’t heard a peep back from the NSAC.
While this is good news, I have a hard time celebrating a decision this obvious. Still, I’m happy for Agbeko.
Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"
Will NSAC then retroactively make this bout a NC?
If the ref adversely affected the outcome of the fight, then how can the fight stand as a win or a loss? I wonder what will happen to the bets on the fight….
"The bell that tolls for all in boxing belongs to a cash register."
-Bob Verdi
They absolutely will not be changing the outcome. That really only happens when guys fail drug tests. If you change it, you’re open to Golden Boy protesting on behalf of Mares, which makes for a drawn-out process that isn’t worth the effort.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Aug 16, 2011 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
They hate doing it because it gets to dog-chasing-its-tail very fast with lawyers all over the place filing appeals and sueing people etc., etc. You mostly see it happen, and rarely there, too, but more often in the amateurs. It would be nice, but is not likely either according to Ted, who likely knows, to lay some kind of formal suspension on Mora, at least, but then if they do that, it opens another can of worms for them, on and on, they hate it.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
Even so, the explicit wording and description of what happened, and the IBF’s open explanation of its perfectly sound reasoning, seems to me to put NSAC kind of on the hot seat to do something. There’s not much in the way of punches pulled in that announcement.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
Credit to Bernstein, Tarver, (Johnson), and Gray for raising hell out the gate. Got things started large.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
credit to boxanne! you raised a rucus on this site! i emailed the nsac, but not the ibf b/c of you. i was gonna get to the ibf, but luckily i didn’t have to !
"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."
No credit to me, but to any and all who wrote. More noise is more noise, and I’ll do it every time because I think it helps, but it’s real good that lately the powerhouse commentators are really talking up these catastrophes, as well as the heavy-hitter writers. Makes a difference, raises a lot of consciousnesses. Bernstein and Tarver were ballistic, it had to make an impression.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
BoxAnne is my hero!
And Abner Mares and Russell Mora are both douchebags!
Well, thank you, but I don’t think so really. It took all hands on deck, both with this and with Lara—but when the media heavy hitters go ape-shit, it can only help to back them up. I do think it helps to write. So everybody that did helped.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
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