JOSEPH AGBEKO: I AM STILL KING KONG OF THE BANTAMWEIGHT JUNGLE

On August 13, 2011 one of the biggest atrocities in recent years occurred when Abner Mares was awarded the IBF Bantamweight title via a majority decision over former champion Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko. Not that Mares performance or talents are unworthy of being called champion but rather it was the handicap match that Agbeko was subjected to that made this a true miscarriage of justice. Referee Russell Mora put on a clinic of ineptness that was of epic proportions. Mora’s actions on that now infamous night further damaged the image and integrity of a sport which is constantly fighting credibility. Due to Mora’s biased officiating, and public and outrage a rematch is set to take place this Saturday night.

The 31 year old from Ghana who calls the New York his hometown, was in the midst of winding down his 7 week camp at John’s Gym in the Bronx, and told Boxingtalk, that he can not focus on the first fight with Mares, but only look forward.

“What happened, happened already everyone knows that I was not given a fair fight, but we have a rematch and
I’m ready to show who is the true champion,” Agbeko.

Mares will walk into the Honda Center, in Anaheim California wearing the IBF crown that Agbeko had held on two separate occasions. Agbeko believes that Mares is a champion in name alone and his opponents Golden Boy affiliation had too much influence in their fight.

“I was not really impressed by Mares I thought he was going to be better than that, when we got in the ring I saw nothing special from him. Him being promoted by GoldenBoy yes, I think contributed to him winning and there was a lot of talk that he has the chance to be their first homegrown world champion and that would mean a lot to their company. He did not really win and I don’t think he merits being recognized as the true first world champion of GoldenBoy,” Agbeko.

Agbeko sees he’s more focused than he was in their first encounter and knows that he himself did not perform to his best capabilities. Agbeko said that it will be a short title reign for the native of Jalisco, Mexico.

“The reason I could not have won the fight was because of the points that the referee should have taken away from him for all the low blows to me he was warned so much that I thought he should have even been disqualified. It was the 10th round and the referee was still giving warnings,” Agbeko.
“It will be tough but at the same time easy. My aim is to prepare for a war, if he wants to fight I can out fight him and I know I can out box him too. I am going to start early and I’m not going to give up any rounds like I did at the beginning I am looking to go all out,” Agbeko.

In borrowing a phrase from my father Socrates Sr., the judges were accessories to a criminal act. If the referee was blatantly incompetent and or corrupt to faithfully conduct his duties, then the judges who have the best seat in the building should have taken control of the situation. That knockdown which was scored in the 10th round from a shot that was in the middle of Agbeko’s testicles was a joke. CJ Ross delivered a respectable score of 113-113, However veteran officials Adalaide Byrd, 115-111, and Oren Shellenberger 115-111 who rendered scores should not receive a free pass. Byrd and Shellenberger were aiding and abating a crime that will hopefully not be repeated.

“For me this is not personal, this is a sport and business the most important thing is my God.  I’m just coming to get my belt back. Hopefully we are going to get good officiating this time around and good judges no misbehaving in the ring I know I’m going to get a fair fight,” Agbeko.

By  Socrates Palmer Jr

Source:  www.boxingtalk.com/pag/article.php