Uppercut Magazine.com - Bantamweight Finale

By David A. Avila

IBF titleholder Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko has shown more diplomacy than a United Nations representative while discussing his finale against challenger Abner Mares. But now with mere days before the fight, the gloves are back on.

It’s the final confrontation of Showtime’s Bantamweight tournament and many expect a crackling ending as Agbeko (28-2, 22 KOs) faces Mares (21-0-1, 13 KOs) on Saturday Aug. 13, at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Showtime will televise.

The tournament began last December with four of the five best 118-pounders in the world. It should have ended this past spring but a back injury suffered by Ghana’s Agbeko forced a postponement and here we are now.

“This is a fight that I’ve looked forward to. I want to be the best bantamweight,” says Agbeko who defeated Colombia’s Yonnhy Perez to reach the final but injured his back forcing a postponement to fight Mares in Los Angeles.

Bantamweights are small in size but historically they’ve proven to be the most explosive and entertaining of all weight divisions. Despite their diminutiveness, they usually exhibit amazing speed and power.

Back in the 1960s there was Ruben Olivares blowing past opponents with his two-fisted fury. He was followed by Carlos Zarate, Jeff Chandler and Jeff Fenech who were bantamweights that dominated the division too.

Agbeko and Mares are attempting to show the public the true bantamweight world champion inside the boxing ring. Of course there is Nonito Donaire who cannot be excluded as one of the top 118-pounders but he did not enter the tournament.

“This tournament was open to the best bantamweights, others had the option to enter,” said Agbeko during a conference call. “Myself and Abner Mares we were able to make it to the finals so we’re the best bantamweights in the world.”

Mares surprised many by advancing past feared slugger Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan. Many experts and boxing fans outside of Southern California were not familiar with the bantamweight who is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and managed by Frank Espinoza.

“That was a tough fight but he got through it,” said Espinoza who formerly managed bantamweight greats Israel Vazquez and Martin Castillo. “Abner has that ability to adapt.”

It was his ability to change strategies in mid-fight that allowed him to defeat Darchinyan and it’s what Mares plans to utilize against Agbeko on Saturday.

“I figure out the fighter there and then in the ring,” said Mares. “We’ve been sparring fast guys, slow guys, boxers and sluggers.”

Both Agbeko and Mares are only focused on their confrontation and no one else. Not even the looming specter of Donaire can make them deviate.

“This fight everybody is watching…it’s the best bantamweights in the world,” said Agbeko who is promoted by Don King. “I want to be the best in my weight class and I want people to watch me.”

Southern California flavor

Several top notch prizefighters from the Southland are also on the Las Vegas fight card at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

Santa Ana’s undefeated southpaw Luis Ramos (19-0, 8 KOs) has a 10-round engagement with Oxnard’s fearless David Rodela (15-4-3, 6 KOs) in a lightweight bout.

“I’m excited. David Rodela is not an easy opponent,” said Ramos who is managed by Espinoza. “He has nothing to lose.”

Rodela, though he’s lost three of his last six fights, all have come against talented opposition. The favorite sparring partner for Manny Pacquiao always has a thing or two up his sleeve.

“Every lefty is awkward. I sparred with Victor Ortiz and he’s awkward as hell,” said Rodela about preparing for Ramos. “I’ve done well against southpaws in the past.”

In another lightweight fight Norwalk’s undefeated Carlos Molina (14-0, 7 KOs) will engage with last-minute opponent Juan Montiel (5-4-2) of Mexico City. He’s had to prepare for the unknown.

“I don’t like studying opponents anyway,” says Molina who is also managed by Espinoza. “I like figuring them out in the ring.”

Fights on television

Fri. ESPN2, 6 p.m. Kermit Cintron (32-4-1) vs. Antwone Smith (20-2-1).

Fri. Showtime, 8 p.m. MMA Jorge Gurgel (14-7) vs. Joe Duarte (9-2).

Fri. Telefutura, 11:30 p.m., Antonio Diaz (46-6-1) vs. Ernesto Zepeda (39-14-4).