A more detailed analysis on Joseph Agbeko's upset over Yonnhy Perez in their rematch last night: The Return of King Kong by Mark Ortega Its incredible what a fourteen month layoff can do for some guys. After losing his IBF bantamweight championship last Halloween to Yonnhy Perez in a serious Fight of the Year candidate, Joseph King Kong Agbeko sat on the sidelines while other fights in the division kept getting made and delivering tons of action. Perez defended his belt against Abner Mares in a scorching draw, Fernando Montiel shocked with his crushing kayo of Hozumi Hasegawa, and Nonito Donaire kept the train rolling in his debut at the bantamweight limit. Some thought that would be enough for Agbeko to fade into the background. Agbeko made sure that would not be his fate, reclaiming his gold Saturday night against Perez in an exciting fight, albeit a more tactical one than the first battle was. This is my meal ticket and Im glad I got it back, beamed a jubilant Agbeko after securing the unanimous decision victory. I am presenting it to Ghana as a Christmas bonus. While others in the division were getting big time fights, Agbeko saw fights fall out on him for nearly a year before two fights fell right into his lap. Agbeko was asked to be included in the four-man tournament Showtime was putting together, pitting some of the most decorated bantamweights in the world. The tournament was originally shaping up to be more along the lines of a Super Six style tournament, but when renowned promoter Top Rank refused including the services of Nonito Donaire and Fernando Montiel, coupled with the balking by former long-reigning bantamweight king Hasegawa, Showtime reverted to a traditional four-man winner take all event that could wrap up before too many things go wrong. Click here to read the rest
Thanks for posting this :good I have always been a fan of Agbeko. Initially, I was 100% covinced he would win this fight, as I felt he beat Perez in the first fight. However in the days leading up to the fight, I changed by prediction to a Perez win, because I didn't see Agbeko as adaptable. How wrong I was. He has proven himself to be a quality operator, who us skilfull and entertaining. A credit to the sport.
