Mares vs Morel Results: Abner Mares Wins Blowout Decision to Claim Second World Title

Abner Mares won a landslide decision over Eric Morel tonight in El Paso to gain a world title in his second weight class, claiming the vacant WBC super bantamweight title. Scores were 120-107, 119-1109, and 119-109 for Mares. Bad Left Hook scored it 120-108 for Mares.

Mares (24-0-1, 13 KO) dominated the fight with a lot of strong power punches from both hands, but was unable to stop Morel (46-3, 23 KO), who hung in about as best he could, and didn't stink out the joint or run from the fight. He stood his ground and left what he had in the ring, but Mares was, as expected, far too good for the 36-year-old veteran.

Mares made his case again as an elite fighter, even though he definitely stepped back in competition for this one. As we said in the fight preview, Morel simply has not fought at this level in years, and has clearly slowed down. The last time he was in against a true top fighter was in 2005, and Martin Castillo pretty well dominated him. That was at 115 pounds, and he's never had real success over 112.

But Morel did not roll over, and came to win this fight. He fought like a guy who hasn't had this chance in nearly a decade and didn't expect to get it again, which is how he should have fought.

For Mares, the win is solid, but it begs the question of where he goes from here at 122 pounds. If Anselmo Moreno, who destroyed David De La Mora earlier in the night, wants to move up to 122, then that's a great fight. But if Moreno doesn't come up, most of the guys in and around the division who are notable are Top Rank fighters, and thus out of Mares' reach, since Mares is promoted by Golden Boy.

For Abner Mares' style and approach to the ring, tonight's performance was near flawless, and though I wouldn't call it easy, because he did have to work in there, it was definitely the easiest fight he's had since he made his Showtime debut in 2010.

Thank you for joining us this evening. We now begin the countdown to Hopkins vs Dawson II next Saturday night, plus Mayweather vs Cotto on May 5, so stick with us.