Abner Mares, Joseph Agbeko advance in SHOWTIME Bantamweight tourney

Joseph Agbeko was looking for a some revenge against Yonnhy Perez. He got it via split decision in a SHOWTIME Bantamweight semifinal on Saturday night.

Agbeko was dominant as the judges scored the fight 116-112, 117-111, 115-111. Agbeko (28-2, 22 KOs) regained his IBF 118-pound title.

"This is my meal ticket and I'm glad I got it back." Agbeko said to the AP  of regaining the title he lost to Perez (20-1-1, 14 KOs).. "I'm presenting it to Ghana as a Christmas bonus."

In the other semifinal, Abner Mares (21-0-1, 13 KOs) scored a split-decision win over Vic Darchinyan (35-3-1, 27 KOs). The scoring was a bit peculiar, however, as two judges scored it 115-111, 113-112 in favor of Mares, while the other scored it 115-111 for Darchinyan.

It was fight filled with excitement as both fighters were knocked down. Mares actually lost a point for a low blow and had a cut over his eye in the first round that opened up throughout the bout. But that didn't stop him from taking over in the mid rounds, including scoring a knock down in the fifth.

Abgeko will meet Mares in the final, while Darchinyan will face Perez in a consolation match.