Abner Mares Wins Featherweight Title Over Cuellar Via Split Decision.
Stephanie Trapp/Showtime
In the main event of the evening, another fight that was supposed to take place earlier this year, Abner Mares pulled off his most impressive victory in years by claiming his 4th world title defeating Jesus Cuellar by split decision for the regular WBA featherweight belt. Many felt that Mares was on his last legs after many battles in the ring and having an eye injury that threatened to end his career and also was the reason for the fight being delayed. The split decision was controversial as Mares appeared to dominate the fight clearly but Judge Kermit Bayless was the lone judge to rule the fight in favor of Cuellar with a scorecard of 116-112.
Nevertheless, with the victory Mares places himself in position to face the winner of the rematch between Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz. Mares has a previous loss to Santa Cruz but with his recent switch to acclaimed trainer Robert Garcia and coming off a career-defining victory, Mares definitely seems to have rejuvenated his career. Mares improves his career record to 30-2-1, (15 KOs).