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Showtime closes out its boxing year tonight with a world title doubleheader, starting at 10 pm ET, which will see featherweight and junior middleweight belts on the line.
It’s really a double main event as much as anything, but the de facto main event and final fight of the night will see Jesus Cuellar (28-1, 21 KO) defend the WBA "world" featherweight title against Abner Mares (29-2-1, 15 KO).
The de facto co-feature pits IBF junior middleweight titleholder Jermall Charlo (24-0, 18 KO) against Julian Williams (22-0-1, 14 KO). Both matchups look close to 50-50 on paper, and are expected to be competitive.
Showtime will also be trying out something new at 8 pm ET, streaming a pair of undercard fights on Facebook Live, featuring prospects Sergey Lipinets and Erickson Lubin in action. You can watch the fights at Showtime Boxing’s official Facebook page.
Join us tonight for updates and discussion!
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RESULTS
Abner Mares def. Jesus Cuellar by split decision (117-110, 116-111, 112-115)
Jermall Charlo def. Julian Williams by TKO (2:06 of round 5)
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ROUND BY ROUND
JESUS CUELLAR vs ABNER MARES
Round 1: Mares with a very fast start, hurting Cuellar with hooks, but there's a long way to go, obviously. This is a great first round for Abner, though. Pace could be an issue. Mares 10-9
Round 2: This is a really hard pace they're starting with. Mares landing good shots still, but Cuellar getting back into things and landing his own shots, and I think this was a good bounce-back round for him. Cuellar 10-9, 19-19
Round 3: Some really good exchanges here. Cuellar seems to like this pace, and Mares is going toe to toe with him at times, too. That's more what Cuellar wants, I think. Cuellar 10-9, 29-28
Round 4: Mares with some nice tactical boxing this round, keeping himself in the fight, and slowing the tempo enough so that he has some in the tank for later. Mares 10-9, 38-38
Round 5: Mares with some really good counters in this round, carrying the round for him. Cuellar has been fairly easy to hit all night, but was definitely so in this round. Mares 10-9, 48-47
Round 6: Another good round for Mares. He's just outworking and outhustling Cuellar, who is in the fight but needs to find something new. Mares 10-9, 58-56
Round 7: Very close round. Though Cuellar did the more significant work with some really nice left hands. This is a very tight fight. Cuellar 10-9, Mares 67-66
Round 8: Mares with a bounce back round. I apologize for not having a lot of commentary here. It's a solid fight, I'm just extremely tired after a long day of fights. Mares 10-9, 77-75
Round 9: Cuellar still with the big power shots, Mares with the quicker hands, this has been an interesting fight. Not exactly a barnburner, but interesting. Cuellar 10-9, Mares 86-85
Round 10: Another Cuellar round for me, but another one that was close, too. Cuellar 10-9, 95-95
Round 11: Mares lands a good counter right, catches Cuellar right, and Cuellar goes down! Mares really bringing it now, landing some hard shots and pressing the action. Cuellar really slowed down this round, and still trying to find his rhythm again. Big Mares round. Mares 10-8, 105-103
Round 12: Cuellar trying to find something this round, but Mares isn't giving him anything, and boxes well in this round. Doesn't get on the bike, just fights smart. Mares 10-9, 115-112
JERMALL CHARLO vs JULIAN WILLIAMS
Round 1: Interesting first round, both guys fighting with energy, both trying to establish the jab, both land some nice counters. But I liked Williams better here -- he had a couple of sharp right hand counters to Charlo jabs that made the difference. Williams 10-9
Round 2: Williams looking good, but WHAM! Gets cracked with a shot and down he goes! He's up but wobbly. That was on a JAB, for goodness sake. Charlo not going nuts, seems to realize it wasn't a super heavy knockdown, and Williams lands a couple hard shots after recovering fully. Charlo 10-8, 19-18
Round 3: Charlo and Williams both boxing patiently here, and Williams in particular showing some clever stuff this round, including some nice defense, slipping some Charlo shots. I edge it his way. Williams 10-9, 28-28
Round 4: Some really good counter rights by Williams in this round. Charlo does some nice stuff, too, but I again go with Williams. He's just a bit more effective with the counters, and his lead right is working now, too. Williams 10-9, 38-37
Round 5: Counter right halfway into the round and Williams is down again! That was a bomb! Williams up at eight. Charlo going for the finish this time. Williams down again on a left hand and the fight IS OVER!! Charlo TKO-5