Recovered Agbeko to defend bantamweight title vs. Mares

Abner Mares had watched his chance for a world title roll away on a hospital gurney and wasn't sure if he would get another opportunity.

But when he learned that Joseph Agbeko's back problems had been treated and he one day would fight again, Mares patiently waited for another shot at the Ghanan, who holds the IBF bantamweight title. That chance comes Aug. 13 at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel when Mares and Agbeko meet for Agbeko's title, along with the championship of Showtime's Bantamweight Tournament.

"Things happen for a reason," Mares, 25, said Thursday while he and Agbeko, 31, were in town to promote the fight. "I've been looking forward to this fight for a long time. He looks good, and I want him to look good. I want to beat him and make my dream come true and be a world champion."

The two were supposed to fight April 23 in Los Angeles. But Agbeko complained of back pain upon his arrival at Los Angeles International Airport a couple of days before the fight. He was taken to a local hospital for observation, and the bout was canceled.

But with Agbeko having fully recovered from what was diagnosed as sudden onset sciatica, they will meet at the Hard Rock. Both fighters haven't fought since Dec. 11. Mares (21-0-1, 13 knockouts) won a 12-round decision over Vic Darchinyan to earn his spot in the finals, and Agbeko (28-2, 22 KOs) won a 12-round decision over Yonnhy Perez.

"I could have taken another fight, but this is the fight I've wanted, so I've been willing to wait," Mares said. "I'm training smart for this fight; I haven't overtrained, and I've brought in some good sparring partners. I will absolutely be ready to be at my best on Aug. 13."

Agbeko said his back issues are a thing of the past.

"At the time it happened, it was very scary because I never experienced anything like that before," Agbeko said. "I felt like I was paralyzed. I couldn't move. But I was able to go home (to Ghana) and get the treatment. It's like it never happened."

Mares said speed will be the key to winning the fight; Agbeko said intelligence will determine the outcome.

"He's fast, sneaky fast, but I'm quicker," Mares said. "I plan to be busier than him."

Said Agbeko: "I think whoever fights the smarter fight will win. I think I have the experience, and that will give me the advantage."

Mares said he has the pursuit of the IBF belt to motivate him along with winning the Showtime tournament.

"I'm tired of being called a contender, a champion without a belt," Mares said. "We all know a belt is everything."

Mares turned to Hard Rock vice president Paul Davis and said, "Make sure you give me a cabana at Rehab after the fight because we're going to be celebrating."