Abner Mares and Russell Mora steal bantamweight belt from Joseph Agbeko.

[soulman]

Russell Mora should never be permitted to referee another fight...EVER!!

[Fibroso]

Classical example of refs. on the payroll. Judges were also, I detected a conspiracy from the first low blow, knowing that Mares likes to do so from the beginning. expected a clean fight but the ref's support just trigger the Mexican to the dirtiest steal in boxing. The fact that Agbeko happens to be from Africa shows that prejudice in America is far from over. Just learned that a little league team from Uganda was rejected to participate in the World Championship. Hate to see latinos involved in the steal but money talks and BS walks. Embarrassing for evolution for Africa is the ROOT.

[rokko]

boxing still crooked as ever shamefull and blatant robbery

[aquariusone]

Don't you all fault Abner Mares. He did not "steal" the fight.

Let me explain. Russell Mora could have warned Mares earlier for low blows and then he could have penalized him for continued offenses. He did not. That last knockdown was clearly from an illegal shot which should have cost Mares a point deduction. Certainly, we are only guessing as to whether or not that would have given Agbeko the decision BECAUSE during the entire fight Mares was busier of the two and had more punches that landed. Had Mora warned Mares earlier, the complexion of the match could have changed by forcing Mares to use more head shots and uppercuts (instead of body punches). Mares was more skillful and it is a shame that the conduct of the referee tainted his win.

I would not be a bit surprise if Russell Mora is reprimanded for his poor work, or perhaps suspended. Abner Mares is a very talented young boxer and he could possibly learn for this "poor results" in his favor. It also shows that he has a tremendous chin. That deadly overhand right by Agbeko could have put anyone else to sleep.

[Fibroso]

Mares is very talented but he is not a clean fighter, his attack to the body was low from the beginning and he knew what he was doing. Mora did not make any attend to stop his dirty fighting, making it clear the scenario for the steal was in the makings. It's not about a point deducted in the late round after that obvious low punch, it's about 20 or more low punches during the fight. Three warnings , a poit deduction. How many points are we talking about? He had very good rounds because of the continuous low blows. After the overhand right Agbeko did not have enough to go for the kill due to all that damage done by the low blows his taken but he clearly won all the late rounds. That's the fight everyone saw.......

[aquariusone]

:) Teddy Atlas has something to say about "low blows" when he demonstrated that that protection they wear is so solid that nothing could conceivably penetrate the shield to create damage. Now I am not defending Mares. I just think that Mora failed to conduct himself appropriately. I also do not think that "Mares is a dirty fighter". He just does not fit that image. He is so "clean-cut" so to speak to want to win through dirty fighting. He has excellent boxing skills (and he was also Mexico's Olympic entry). It was action-packed with more than 1000 punches thrown between the two of them....just too bad the officiating was terrible. However, moving on.......

DONAIRE could settle the controversy about Mares.

[soulman]

A reprimand or suspension for Russell Mora would be a joke. The only appropriate action would be dismissal as a referee.

[rudee]

I didnt watch the fight folks,, don't have Showtime.... but the following was in the Los Angeles Times this morning.... FYI..

"Keith Kizer, head of the Nevada Athletic Commision, said he has encouraged referee Russell Mora to engage in consultations with the state's respected veteran
referees Kenny Bayless and Joe Cortez after Mora admitted mistakes in Saturdays bantamweight fight in which Mares won over Agbeko...
Mora is not expected to work another major fight in Nevada for the rest of the year."

What did i say about fights in gambling towns boys? Mora may not work anymore this year... but thats fine... he made plenty of dough on this one!!!!
From what i heard anyway.

[Fibroso]

Mares did have some issues with low blows in his previous fight and I'm sure he knew he was doing the same in this one. The fact that Mora was blind kind of set the stage for what was already planed. Aqua ,glad you mention Nonito Donaire, he was the reason behind the steal to set the stage for a Nonito/Mares fight. You can bet that GBP has already set the date................................nasty but I hope the old African can get his hands on anyone of them and get what was stolen.

[aquariusone]

Yes, he was penalized in his fight with Vic Darchinyan for low blows. He paid for that with point deduction - which should have been the case with his fight with Agbeko. There are many comments about Mora and such officiating in other sites. Some are suggesting that when a fighter is "not called" for such violation (including Mayweather's use of elbow), they just automatically assume "it is OK" and they continue to do it. I think that was the case with Mares. He saw no need to make adjustments. Agbeko and his manager also must share the blame because they did not complain earlier for the "missed calls" and waited till the fateful 11th round call. Emmanuel Steward would have jumped the referee much earlier.

This is not the end of the controversy. Apparently, an "unknown" South African fighter, Vusi Malinga, was promised by both Mares and Agbeko a fight (against the winner) which could derail a "rematch" in November. Further complicating this is supposed to be a Nonito Donaire bout against the winner.

Now there is a situation where Mares may simply vacate his new IBF title instead of defending it (against Agbeko or Malinga) and go for a big draw against Donaire.

Who says boxing these days is boring. Rudee, what the heck are you doing - missing these action-packed matches (more ways than one!) :)

[Fibroso]

When a fighter is told by his own corner to keep his hand up because they can take a point away from you and everyone but some heard it on tv, that fighter must be aware of his wrong doing. To defend the indefensible will not change the opinion of those who saw the fight. It was a steal no matter what you or anyone can say. Blaming the corner or mentioning Floyd who is also black and has nothing do with this is just another silly excuse that can only satisfied peoples ego. Mares,Mora and some judges were in on this. One decent judge scored the fight even, he was the only one who saw the low blows. After this, I doubt a fight between Nonito and Mares will be a big draw. No one wants to see a cheater.

[aquariusone]

Now, now, I know you are passionate about boxing but don't get too worked up with this issue, it could raise your cholesterol...hehehehe!

What I mentioned above was what I gathered from comments all over the web (including that about Floyd). Those are not "my words" but the "general consensus" amongst afficionados (like you and me).

It's only a game, Fib! :) take it easy! Have some tequila and oogle the girls! :)

[rokko]

IBF President Daryl Peoples and IBF Championships Chairman Lindsey Tucker completed their review of the IBF Optional Bantamweight Championship bout that took place on August 13, 2011 in Las Vegas, NV, between Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares. Peoples and Tucker observed several low blow fouls committed by Abner Mares. While the referee, Russell Mora, issued numerous warnings for low blows during the course of the bout, he neglected to deduct points for these fouls. With 1:03 left in round eleven, Joseph Agbeko was hit with a low blow foul that forced him to the canvas. Mr. Mora determined that the blow landed by Mares was legal and began to count indicating that a knockdown had occurred.

Based upon their review of the bout, it has been determined by the IBF that inappropriate conduct by the referee affected the outcome of the fight. In accordance with IBF/USBA Rule 3.D., the IBF is ordering a rematch between Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares for the IBF Bantamweight title which must be held within the next 120 days or by December 14, 2011.

[Fibroso]

I totally agree with the decision taken by the IBF. If Nonito wanted to fight Mares, he probably will have to fight Agbeko first, for he will beat Mares in the rematch. All he needs to do is go for the kill this time.