Yonnhy Perez outpoints Joseph Agbeko in 12-round thriller

Yonnhy Perez stayed undefeated and won the IBF bantamweight title, outpointing Joseph Agbeko in an electric, toe-to-toe Fight of the Year contender tonight in Las Vegas.

Perez (20-0, 14 KO) won on scores of 116-111, 117-110 and 117-110. Bad Left Hook scored it 116-111 for Perez. The fight's workrate was absolutely astounding, as there were no lulls in action and I can't recall a single clinch.

A controversial knockdown in the 10th round went Perez's way, as Agbeko complained of a headbutt, turned his back, and was punched. He then went to his knee and kept complaining of the headbutt. A replay of the butt showed that there was in fact a headbutt there, but truthfully, it looked like it was Agbeko, a noted user of the tactic, throwing the headbutt that wound up hurting him. He also cut Perez earlier in the fight with a headbutt, and blatantly butted him on at least one other occasion.

To be completely honest, Agbeko complaining of headbutts (especially with his head swinging toward Perez on the butt in question) is ridiculous. The guy is maybe the best headbutt machine in the game today. He uses the move liberally.

Agbeko (27-2, 22 KO) is hardly back to the drawing board. He's still clearly among the bantamweight elite, and he wants a rematch. I think the people that saw this one would love to see a rematch, too. I know I would. It was an outstanding fight, an epic war that surpassed even the highest expectations.

Congratulations to Yonnhy Perez on his first major title, and hats off to both of these gutsy fighters for a great, great fight.