Agbeko will dominate Mares. Mares is not impressive at all. Agbeko held his own against Wladmir Sidorenko, one of the greatest fighters in the division. More impressive, Agbeko fought this Euro-level warrior in Germany. Not even Donaire was willing to fight in Germany because he knows he would have lost in a venue like that. Agbeko also dominated Euro-level athlete Vic Darchinian and outclassed Yohnny Perez. This fight is a no brainer. Agbeko's skills are above those of any fighter Mares has faced. Quick feet, hands, elusiveness, chin, and heart will win this fight for Agbeko.
i agree about agbekos skillset, but you act as if mares is a bum....the kid has had some solid ass trainers and sparring partners.....one thing you can't count out is mares' toughness,chin and determination....did you see him on the last few rounds vs vic...he was out for blood and never stopped punching, even in the clinch :bbb
He does have toughness, chin, and determination. However, so does Agbeko, and I think those qualities are overrated. All that will do in a fight with Agbeko is prevent a possible stoppage. His punch output will probably drop significantly in this fight because of the style match-up.
Oh yeah, can't wait for this! Was deeply impressed by both guys this past weekend. Was nice to get 4 very good fights involving top guys!
I enjoyed Dachi/Mares more the Khan/Maidana. It had more suspense going back and forth. Khan was up on the cards until Maidanna connected hard in the 10th & then Khan simply turned into Miguel Cotto Running the rest of the rounds. Mare & Darchi was far better plus team showtime was brilliant as usually with the broadcast. :deal Looking foward to Agbeko/Mares for sure & also Montiel/Donaire. I would pay to see both of those fights over Pac/Mosley PPV any day.
Mares is going to get in that ass like a colon parasite. I hope he doesnt fight Montiel after Montiel destroys Donaire.
Mares won against Darchinyan because he could take huge punches and was basically the younger man. Don't get me wrong, Darchinyan could have a better inside game, but it's no doubt who landed the harder shots and who was the better boxer. I give the fight to Mares, but don't get it twisted about who the better fighter was. If Darchinyan was younger, it would have been a different story. Mares took punches that are bad for your career. And don't act like Mares didn't cry... When Vic started killin him with those shots and using his right to measure, Mares cried everytime. Agbeko SHOULD win as he is more skilled, but I wouldn't be surprised if Mares chin, ability to take serious punishment, workrate, and youth will win him this fight as well.
It better be Montiel who wins, because I have no faith that Donaire will ever fight any other top guys at 118. In fact, he's already said he's moving up to a weak ass 122 pound division after the Montiel fight.
Agbeko does have the better skill set, while Mares does a great job of pushing fighters back with pressure. Both can take a shot, and both beat a strong Vic. I see Mares always improving, and against Agbeko he better come in as well prepared as he did against Vic and then some. I'm leaning towards Agbeko but I'm not dissmissing Mares in this fight at all. Should be a great fight!!!
agbek for me. i dunno if i'm so impressed/surprised by agbeko becoming a brilliant mover. i think logically mares is going to start well but i think agbeko is better conditioned shown a more versatile skill set than mares. and in general he is rougher and more of an infighter than vic, who is more of a awkward fighter but time able. agbeko seems a bit more looser and strangely fluid. i don't know something in my gut thinks that kingkong agbeko could take this. slight different note azumah nelson claims that he was brought in to create a fight plan for joseph against perez.