Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, USA. The conqueror of three weight categories, the Mexican Abner Mares (31-3-2, 15 KOs) resumed his career after a long downtime (more than 4 years outside the ring) and tied the fight against compatriot and former challenger Miguel Flores (25-4-1, 12 KOs) .
Recall that inveteran (Mares is now 36 years old) retired from boxing due to vision problems. Tin, but before the comeback, he honestly admitted that he had not finally solved the problem.
The underdog occupied the center of the ring, slowly crushing the ex-champion. He moved, threw out multi-hit combinations. In the opening round, both looked better in attack – almost all the blows hit the target. Mares is more active and more accurate, but Flores’ punches are a little more powerful and dangerous.
In the 2nd round, the underdog got it very solidly: he was shocked twice, but somehow managed to maintain balance, and never visited the canvas. Mares scored a series of nine consecutive (!) right overhands (almost all of them hit the target). I’m not sure I’ve ever seen this.
Mares and Flores are trading blows!!!
You won’t want to miss the rest of this one. Order the #RuizOrtiz Pay-Per-View on the Fox Sports app or at https://t.co/3Zu1Q7c92G pic.twitter.com/MQWteiZMJZ
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) September 5, 2022
In the 3rd three-minute period, Mares took his foot off the gas pedal. He moved more and more, tried to minimize exchanges, relied on counterattacking actions. But it soon turned out that he was simply already physically addicted. Flores evened out the course of the battle, punched a lot in the body (he is good at this), once moved much lower than expected. The referee saw and warned.
Starting from the 5th round, Mares increasingly strove to embrace the opponent. He actively cycled around the perimeter of the ring, but often outstripped the straightforward and readable Flores.
Abner Mares is landing his power shots tonight!
It’s been a great night of action. Don’t miss any of it and order the #RuizOrtiz Pay-Per-View on the Fox Sports app or at https://t.co/3Zu1Q7c92G pic.twitter.com/j3K9sIrF2w
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) September 5, 2022
Meanwhile, Gervonta Davis is waiting for the winner?
.@Gervontaa is in the building taking in the war that is #MaresFlores tonight on @pbconfox PPV. pic.twitter.com/Ag8eKjfm0Q
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) September 5, 2022
Flores had a cool decisive rounds and, perhaps, even pulled out a victory. Visual impression: the underdog didn’t lose (at least) today. But let’s see what the judges say. Their decision: 96-94 Mares vs twice 95-95. We have a draw.
Draw MD 10.
