It has been the year of the tournament in the world of Combat sports. Boxing kicked off the trend last year with the debut of the Showtime Super Six Middleweight tournament. The tournament did wonders not only for the competitors, who now enjoy a higher level of fame and regard but unveiled one of the sports hidden gems in Andre Ward. Showtime followed up with the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix which brought it’s share of upset with the shocking loss of Fedor Emelianenko. The Showtime Bantamweight tournament followed up on the success of the Super Middleweight tournament, with a single elimination format that took place on December 12 in Washington.
Joesph “King Kong” Agbeko, the native of Ghana, reclaimed his IBF Bantamweight title that night in a rematch from the very man who took it from him, Yonnhy Perez. Though the real buzz of the night went to the 25 year old Abner Mares, who beat hard hitting Vic Darchinyan to win a spot in the final which is taking place on April 23rd at the Nokia Theater. Mares, who is in camp for this bout took the time to talk to us from his home base in Maywood, CA. The rising star had plenty to say as he believes this bout with Agbeko is the most important of his young career. A win would open many doors for Mares and he shared that sentiment, ” I have to prove myself here. This one is the one that gives me the key to that big door for bigger fights.”
Agbeko, clearly the more experienced fighter boasts a record 28-2 though Mares plans to use his inexperience and turn it into a positive, “You learn from every fight, I took a lot from the Darchinyan fight and I’m going to show it on the 23rd. That is something he does not know and he thinks I am a un-experienced fighter. My daughter, my wife, my family, I think that all plays a part in it and I am a fighter that learns from everything.”
Mares also shares with us what he feels about the consolation fight between Vic Darchinyan and Yonnhy Perez, both of whom he has fought. Though he did not decide on a clear cut winner he did give the slight edge to Darchinyan, citing his punching power. He also attributes Darchinyan for giving him his toughest bout to date as well as reveals when he would like to move up to super bantamweight.
Abner Mares will face Joesph Agbeko on April 23rd at the Nokia theater in Los Angeles on Showtime.
