DON KING STATEMENT - IBF ORDERS AGBEKO vs. MARES REMATCH; International Boxing Federation Orders Rematch Of Agbeko vs. Mares‏

“I am pleased to see that the International Boxing Federation, the organization that sanctioned the world championship match between IBF champion Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares on Saturday at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, took such swift action in ordering an immediate rematch.

“They wasted no time in determining that Russell Mora, the referee assigned to Agbeko vs. Mares, was in violation of their rules by displaying “inappropriate conduct” for ignoring repeated low blows against my fighter, Joseph Agbeko.

“I commend IBF President Daryl Peoples and IBF Championship Chariman Lindsey Tucker for confirming what everyone who witnessed the bout already knew. Too often, the first inclination when human frailty is exposed is to sweep it under the rug as though it never happened. It is to their credit that Mr. Peoples and Mr. Tucker confirmed that when obvious mistakes are made, it’s best to recognize them and attempt to immediately right the wrongs.

“It was a triple-blow against boxing by hurting fighters, discrediting world championship boxing and the great state of Nevada, where so many of boxing’s most memorable bouts have been staged. This has caused an undeserved negative shadow over Nevada. There should be an investigation to clear any and all doubts as to what occurred in this fight. The people deserve to know more about whatever caused this man to do what he did.

“The honor that was established by exceptional past members of the Nevada State Athletic Commission like Dr. Elias Ghanem, Chuck Minker, Marc Ratner, Dr. James Nave, Luther Mack, Duke Durden, Sig Rogich and many others brought boxing in Nevada to towering heights by being committed to following the rules with honor and integrity. They established an impeccable reputation, and to see the house they built being tarnished brings me great sadness. Inaction in this instance would be unacceptable.

“I urge the state of Nevada and its leaders to step up in similar fashion as the IBF has done. After all, they have an additional obligation to protect those making wagers by insuring that fair play is paramount in their state.

“I look forward to giving two great young athletes, Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares, the fair playing field they deserve to display their wonderful boxing skills.”

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

'UTTERLY DISGUSTING' - JOHN RAWLING‏

John Rawling after he received the link to the six-minute "Low Blow Recap" earlier today regarding Agbeko vs. Mares:

"Utterly disgusting. The ref should never be allowed to work again.
A re-match has to be made, and God alone knows what Oscar De La Hoya was watching.
I have been commentating for 25 years and have NEVER seen a fighter get away with that sort of concerted illegal attack.
It is supposed to be boxing, not gelding."

John Rawling
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rawling




Post-Fight
Press Links III

GAMING STATES DOING THEIR PART TO KILL BOXING
BoxingTalk.com - By G. Leon
http://boxingtalk.com/pag/article.php?aid=21991

Abner Mares-Joseph Agbeko Controversy Tarnishes Golden Boy Promotions
The Desert Sun – By Leighton Ginn
http://sports.mydesert.com/2011/08/16/abner-mares-joseph-agbeko-controversy-tarnishes-golden-boy-promotions/

No More Mora!
TheSweetScience.com – By Ron Borges
http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles-frontpage/13119-borges-no-more-mora

Another Strike Against Boxing
The San Mateo Daily Journal – By Nathan Mollat
http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=165227&title=Simmering%20feud%20beginning%20to%20boil

Kizer: Mora Now Regrets Not Penalizing Abner Mares
BoxingScene.com – By Keith Idec
http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=42700#ixzz1VEHu9r5C

Referees Should be Seen and Not Heard
Pound4PoundBoxing.com – By William Trillo
http://pound4pound.com/BillysBoxingBlog/2011/08/15/referees-should-be-seen-but-not-heard/

Agbeko Robbed in Las Vegas
Boxing.com – By Robert Ecksel
http://www.boxing.com/agbeko_robbed_in_las_vegas.html

Thoughts on Agebko vs Mares
KnockoutDigest.com – By Jeffrey Freeman
http://knockoutdigest.com/archives/8_15_2011.php

Mares-Agbeko Recap
FightNews.com – by Graham Houston
http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/mares-agbeko-recap-92689#more-92689

Mares-Agbeko Rematch Necessary for Tourney Closure
BoxingScene.com – By Jake Donovan
http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=42694#ixzz1VENlsGDo

IBF Orders Mares to Give Agbeko an Immediate Rematch
The Ring – By Lem Satterfield
http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/168615-ibf-orders-immediate-rematch-for-mares-agbeko

King Commends IBF for Ordering Rematch
The Ring – By Mike Rosenthal
http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/168619-king-commends-ibf-for-ordering-rematch

Rematch Ordered in Wake of Controversy
ESPN.com – By Dan Rafael
http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/6868161/abner-mares-joseph-agbeko-rematch-ordered-wake-low-blow-controversy

IBF Orders Immediate Rematch of Agbeko-Mares Title Fight
USA TODAY – By Bob Velin
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2011-08-16-boxing-rematch_n.htm

Post-Fight Press Links II

Open Letter to Senator John McCain
8CountNews.com – By Keith Terceira
http://8countnews.com/news/125/ARTICLE/4339/2011-08-15.html

BOXINGTALK BREAKS DOWN THE INEPTITUDE OF RUSSELL MORA,
ROUND BY ROUND
BoxingTalk.com – By Greg Leon
http://boxingtalk.com/pag/article.php?aid=21980

Mares, ref draw criticism in title bout with Agbeko
USA TODAY – By Bob Velin
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2011-08-14-mares-IBF-bantamweight_n.htm

Spice Rack
USA TODAY – SPORTS TELEVISION COLUMN – BY MICHAEL HIESTAND
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2011-08-14-cbs-pga-championship_n.htm

Controversial ref was subject of pre-fight concern
Yahoo! Sports – By Kevin Iole
http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=Al9d5Z8dG1JJzf1_1irIKbSUxLYF?slug=ki-iole_mora_referee_agbeko_controversy081411

BAN BOXING REFEREE RUSSELL MORA FROM THE SPORT NOW: SHOCKING FIGHT RESULT IN JOSEPH AGBEKO vs. ABNER MARES
RingsideReport.com – By Brad Berkwitt
http://ringsidereport.com/?p=14481

De La Hoya: Mares’ punches were on the belt line of Agbeko
BoxingNews24.com – By Dan Ambrose
http://www.boxingnews24.com/2011/08/de-la-hoya-mares-punches-were-on-the-belt-line-of-agbeko/

Golden Boy Matchmaker Tweets: ‘I Love Russell Mora’
FightHype.com – By Ben Thompson
http://fighthype.com/pages/content10523.html?PHPSESSID=da9f765f89e2fc5366165d354ea52cd8

A Note on the Refereeing in Agbeko-Mares
TheSweetScience.com – By Thomas Hauser
http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles-frontpage/13117-a-note-on-the-refereeing-in-agbeko-mareshauser

Will IBF grant King a rematch for Agbeko versus Mares?
The Ring – By Lem Satterfield
http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/168579-will-ibf-grant-king-a-rematch-for-agbeko-versus-mares-it-has-done-so-before

Abner Mares' awarded tainted title win
ESPN.com – By Dan Rafael
http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/6862582/abner-mares-awarded-tainted-bantamweight-title-win

Mares dethrones Agbeko with aid of ref
FOX Sports
http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/Abner-Mares-dethrones-Joseph-Agbeko-with-aid-of-referee-081311

Controversial loss angers Agbeko: ‘All I wanted was a fair fight’
The Miami Herald – By Santos Perez
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/08/14/2359419/controversial-loss-angers-agbeko.html#ixzz1V7O4BD7Q

The low blow goes to boxing, and the ref that gave Abner Mares a win
BoxingInsider.com – By Rich Mancuso
http://www.boxinginsider.com/columns/the-low-blow-goes-to-boxing-and-the-ref-that-gave-abner-mares-a-win/

WILL THE REAL RUSSELL MORA PLEASE STAND UP!
BoxinginLasVegas.com – By Butch Lewis/Photo: Mary Ann Owen
http://www.boxinginlasvegas.com/where_is_the_real_russell_mora.htm

Rogue ref steals the show
The Ring – By Mike Rosenthal
http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/168589-weekend-review-rogue-ref-steals-the-show

‘The Most Disgraceful Performance By a Referee that I Have Seen in the last 15 Years.’
15Rounds.com – By Bart Barry
http://www.15rounds.com/%E2%80%9Cthe-most-disgraceful-performance-by-a-referee-that-i-have-seen-in-the-last-15-years%E2%80%9D-081511/

Post-Fight Press Links

Mares beats Agbeko with controversy in tow
Yahoosports.com – by Kevin Iole
http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=Auj16BtN1cc5t0cAZ.YnaAOUxLYF?slug=ki-iole_mares_beats_Agbeko_controversy_081311

Controversy erupts as Abner Mares wins bantamweight belt from Joseph Agbeko
Immediate rematch likely on tap after unsatisfying finish to Showtime tournament
Las Vegas Sun - By Case Keefer
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/aug/14/abner-mares-controversy-joseph-agbeko/

Abner Mares beats Joseph Agbeko for world title
Challenger from Hawaiian Gardens is the new International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion by majority decision.

The Los Angeles Times – By Lance Pugmire
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-boxing-mares-abeko-20110814,0,2490395.story?track=rss

Mora taints Mares victory over Agbeko, ruins good fight
RingTV.craveonline.com – Doug Fischer and Mike Rosenthal
http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/168561-mora-taints-mares-victory-over-agbeko-ruins-good-fight-

Looked Like Ref Russell Mora Beat Joseph Agbeko
The Sweet Science – By Michael Woods
http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles/13107-russell-mora-beats-joseph-agbekostay-tuned-for-avila-from-ringside

Showtime announcer Al Bernstein called ref Russell Mora's work during the Abner Mares-Joseph Agebko bantamweight tournament final on Saturday the very worst he's seen in 15 years. Mora missed numerous low blows thrown by Mora, including a hellacious low left hook which landed right on IBF bantamweight champion Agbeko's cup which the ref called a knockdown. That blow came in round 11, and it was thrown right in front of the ref's face. After 12 rounds, the judges gave Mares a majority decision (115-111, 115-111, 113-113) and Agbeko after said he'd lodge a protest to the IFF.

Jim Gray laced into Mora after the bout and showed him the egregious left hook, which Mora protested he thought was on the belt line. His nonexistent credibility went into the sewer from the gutter when he said he'd like to view the tape later to see if it truly was low, and ventured that the punch might have slipped off Agebko's glove. One wondered if Mora would go after Gray...

If Mora had taken points for repeated low blows (and Bernstein said he saw 25 or 30), and Agebko had been awarded round 11, as he did good work, then those 115-111 scores could've gone to Agbeko. Nevermind that Agbeko's energy had to be affected by being hit low so many times, and who knows how much more zip he would have had if Mares had been forcefully warned, and had a point or two taken away, and was threatened with a DQ, as it looked like he could've or should've been.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Rebroadcast of THE BANTAMWEIGHT TOURNAMENT FINAL: AGBEKO VS MARES TUESDAY, AUGUST 16 at 10:30PM ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME

As the boxing world continues to debate one of the year’s most controversial matches Fight fans can judge for themselves!

A Special Rebroadcast of THE BANTAMWEIGHT TOURNAMENT FINAL: AGBEKO VS MARES

Including Jim Gray’s Hard-hitting Interview with Referee Russell Mora that has Everyone Talking TUESDAY, AUGUST 16 at 10:30PM ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME

Agbeko vs Mares: Recap - Bantamweight Tournament Final - SHOWTIME Boxing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b-KTghi0Jw
Al Bernstein and SHOWTIME Sports present the official recap of The Bantamweight Tournament Final match between Joseph King Kong Agbeko and Abner Mares. Watch the highlights from the August 13th event.

LOW BLOW RECAP - STAGGERING‏

Referee Russell Mora said Abner Mares' punches were on the belt line. Oscar de la Hoya tweeted, "I watched the fight again and those punches were on the belt line the last one hit agbekos glove."

Do you agree with them after watching this low blow compilation video, below? View it and weep for Joseph Agbeko (and the sport of boxing):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mr4LIC6Bj4

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Nuts: The Agbeko-Mares Refereeing Disgrace; by Eddie Goldman

Nuts: The Agbeko-Mares Refereeing Disgrace
by Eddie Goldman

It was all supposed to be so sweet. TV network Showtime would get the best bantamweight boxers in the world in a tournament to fight each other and elevate the status of this oft-overlooked but talent-rich division.

It didn’t even hurt that much that Bob Arum’s Top Rank prevented Nonito Donaire and Fernando Montiel from participating, since agreeing to fight in this tournament were four other standouts: former IBF champion Joseph Agbeko, former 112- and 115-pound champion Vic Darchinyan, unbeaten Abner Mares, and then-unbeaten IBF champion Yonnhy Perez. Donaire did brutally knock out Montiel on HBO in a fight stopped late by a referee named Russell Mora.

The opening round of the Showtime tournament saw two exciting fights. Agbeko, who had lost a decision to Perez in October 2009, outboxed him in the rematch in December 2010 and took a unanimous decision. Mares, known more as a boxer, actually outslugged slugger Darchinyan the same night to win a split decision, although Darchinyan complained of numerous unpenalized low blows by Mares.

The finals between Agbeko and Mares, scheduled for April 23, 2011, did have to be postponed because Agbeko had fallen victim to a sciatica attack after a hellish flight from New York to Los Angeles. Even that couldn’t ruin this tournament, as Agbeko-Mares was rescheduled for August 13 in Las Vegas.

The dream, however, stopped with the opening bell. Mares landed at least three low blows in the first round without the referee, named Russell Mora, penalizing him. When the fighters got their feet tangled up late in the round and Agbeko slipped to the canvas, Mora ruled it a knockdown.

The low blows by Mares kept coming round after round, with nary a peep from Mora. The Showtime announcers, however, weren’t having it, and began tallying them, hitting at least ten by round 5. As this travesty proceeded, after Agbeko was hurt by another low blow in round 10, and again no points were deducted, the normally calm Al Bernstein said, “It’s an outrage. Good God!” He added that this was the worst job by a referee he had seen in 15 years.

Yet it got worse.

In round 11, Agbeko was winning in the first two minutes. Mares then landed his umpteenth low blow, and this time a grimacing Agbeko fell to the canvas. Mora, who was standing directly in line of sight of this latest low blow, surreally began counting a knockdown. Agbeko beat the count, but Mora’s officiating looked like it belonged on a WWE show and not in a boxing ring.

With no points deducted for what Showtime later said were at least 49 low blows, and with two improperly tallied knockdowns, Mares was able to win a majority decision. But the scores and the verdict were meaningless, as virtually everyone who saw this disgrace, including the originally pro-Mares crowd, was appalled.

After the fight, Showtime’s Jim Gray interviewed Mora. “You just raised the arm of Abner Mares,” said Gray. “The question is, ‘Would he have won without your help?’” Mora insisted all of Mares’s punches were legal. They then showed him a replay of the second “knockdown,” yet still Mora refused to admit anything.

When something like this happens in boxing, there generally are two explanations: incompetence or corruption. Right now the motives of Mora are not known, even though he was obviously biased in favor of the Mexican Mares, who is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, and against the Ghanaian Agbeko, who is promoted by Don King Productions.

What needs to be done is for the Nevada commission to nullify the scores and rule the fight a “no decision”. Mora should be investigated and suspended, just as the New Jersey commission suspended the three judges in the Erislandy Lara-Paul Williams fight which went to Williams when Lara clearly deserved the nod. As of this writing, however, Nevada commission executive director Keith Kizer is refusing to take any of these actions.

While protests are being filed, including by the Ghana Boxing Authority, the larger question is what damage was done not only to Agbeko’s groin, but to whatever minuscule credibility boxing still has as a sport.

The people in charge of it appear readier to protect those involved in whatever led to this larceny, even if it means destroying what remains of the sport and business of boxing. And that, just like Mares’s preferred target, is nuts.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

No Holds Barred: Keisha Morrisey on the Agbeko-Mares Refereeing Disgrace

On this audio edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with our colleague and correspondent Keisha Morrisey.

In the August 13 bantamweight title fight in Las Vegas, Nevada, between Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares, referee Russell Mora let Mares land countless low blows without even deducting a point, much less disqualifying him. In the eleventh round, Mora even counted for a knockdown after Agbeko went down from a clear shot to the groin by Mares. This was one of the worst refereeing jobs in modern boxing history, and made the majority decision victory awarded to Mares virtually meaningless.

Outrage has been virtually unanimous among those who saw the fight (except, of course, from the referee), and many are calling for an immediate rematch, as well as nullifying the decision. The New Jersey commission suspended all three judges after their absurd decision in the Lara-Williams fight earlier this year, so it will be instructive to see what action if any the Nevada commission takes regarding Mora.

We spoke by phone late Saturday night right after the Agbeko-Mares fight with Keisha Morrisey. We discussed the refereeing in this fight, what it says about the continuously declining state of boxing, what should be done next, and much more.

CONTROVERSY IN LAS VEGAS‏- Post-Fight Press Links
Controversy looms over Las Vegas (and it smells like stale beer) after inexplicable officiating--which went beyond mere incompetence--marred the main event of the Bantamweight Tournament Final at the Hard Rock on Saturday night.

Please see links, below, to the first of what will certainly be many descriptions and accounts of something that went horribly wrong.

Alan Hopper
DKP

Yahoosports.com – by Kevin Iole
http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=Auj16BtN1cc5t0cAZ.YnaAOUxLYF?slug=ki-iole_mares_beats_Agbeko_controversy_081311

Controversy erupts as Abner Mares wins bantamweight belt from Joseph Agbeko
Immediate rematch likely on tap after unsatisfying finish to Showtime tournament
Las Vegas Sun - By Case Keefer
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/aug/14/abner-mares-controversy-joseph-agbeko/

Abner Mares beats Joseph Agbeko for world title
Challenger from Hawaiian Gardens is the new International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion by majority decision.

The Los Angeles Times - By Lance Pugmire
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-boxing-mares-abeko-20110814,0,2490395.story?track=rss

Mora taints Mares victory over Agbeko, ruins good fight
RingTV.craveonline.com – Doug Fischer and Mike Rosenthal
http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/168561-mora-taints-mares-victory-over-agbeko-ruins-good-fight-

Looked Like Ref Russell Mora Beat Joseph Agbeko
The Sweet Science – By Michael Woods
http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles/13107-russell-mora-beats-joseph-agbekostay-tuned-for-avila-from-ringside

In a great action fight Saturday marred by puzzling officiating by the referee that left fans at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, those watching on SHOWTIME® and the telecast team themselves totally perplexed, Abner Mares won The Bantamweight Tournament Final: Winner Takes All and the International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight title with a majority 12-round decision over defending IBF titlist Joseph King Kong Agbeko.

The unbeaten Mares (22-0-1, 13 KOs), of Hawaiian Gardens, Calif., scored two knockdowns – one in the first and one in the 11th that was one hotly disputed – en route to outpointing the New York-based Agbeko (28-3, 22 KOs) of Ghana by the scores of 115-111 twice and 113-113.

But talk afterward centered less on the terrific performances of the talented, proud prizefighters and more on the referee, Russell Mora, whose failure to deduct a point from the winner despite at least five warnings for low blows and several other shots that seemed south of the border left many in disbelief.

During the telecast, SHOWTIME ringside analyst Antonio Tarver said, “Mora robbed all of us of a great fight.’’

There were 1,394 punches thrown in a give-and-take slugfest. Mares connected on 318 of 732, Agbeko on 318 of 732.

“I thought the first knockdown was clear,’’ said Mares, who made history by becoming the first homegrown Golden Boy Promotions boxer to capture a world title. “On the second I hit him on the belt and the ref chose to give him a count. I agree with the ref’s choice.

“I like to work the body but I was making the fight and all he did was counter-punch.

“I’m open to fight anybody (next). I love this tournament and would love to be in another one like this.’’

Said Agbeko, who demanded an immediate rematch, “I felt as though I was fighting two opponents in the ring tonight, Abner Mares and the referee. The referee ruled incorrectly on the knockdowns and he allowed Mares to hit me low repeatedly. Then, in the 11th, he called what everyone could see was another obvious low blow a knockdown.

“I don’t why these things happened to me. I felt the ref was against me from the start. All I wanted was a fair fight.

“I like Abner. He’s a good fighter. But I’m sure he didn’t want to win a fight this way.’’

A 12-round fight promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions will re-air this week as follows:Tuesday, Aug. 16, 10:30 p.m. ET/PT SHO EXTREME

Saturday’s fight will be available ON DEMAND beginning on Tuesday, Aug. 16.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.