In what resulted in a Telefutura Friday night Solo-Boxeo showcase for WBO ranked numero uno Bantamweight contender Abner Mares, the kid came through with flying colors in a dominating unanimous decision over unranked and outclassed Jonathan Arias.

Curtain opens with both in holding pattern of feeling the other out - edge to Mares with the better technique - then numero two and Mares closing the candle with a strong finishing barrage of right hands capped with big left hook.

Stanza three, Arias tries turning it around - willingly enters the trenches in hot exchanges but Mares having the better - then number four it’s Mares pulling away - stalled only by third man buffoon in charge Jerry Cantu, that interprets a candle five belt line body punch as low-blow violation - a point deduction that would not impact the end result.

It goes the full ten stanzas with Mares by unanimous decision scores of 99-90, 99-90, 98-91 - my unofficial saw it Mares 99-90 in points and 9-0-1 under round by round method.

Rest of story:

• Abner Mares (17-0, 10 KOs) ~ age 22 a critical factor, compounded by as little as 17 pro fights. Latest print out has the kid at #1 among the WBO bantams. Nice for the ego, but not ready for mandatory title consideration with a Gary Penalosa, the top dog. The (Penalosa) Philippine port side bomber, as recent as  last August took out a credible Jhonny Gonzalez via one punch KO7. The Mares positives are sound  technique and decent punching power - no need to rush into deep waters with proven veteran pro Penalosa. Too many available others under the multi-title today system to seek out. Mares still in need of fine tuning.

•  Jonathan Arias ( 15-2, 8 KOs) ~ age 23 - brain trust gambled and lost on this short notice shot in the dark fill in assignment when Mares opponent Kermin Guardia failed the pre-fight physical. On this kept appointment Arias played second fiddle during every stanza - the round five standoff went 9-9 with Mares having the better until referee debit balances the round. Entered this one off TKO 3 win over  Javier Cintron. Future is small venues.  
    
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Ten round bantamweight co/feature a battle of unranked bantamweights Nestor Rocha facing age 32, tired and worn Jose Angel Beranza of 30-13-2, 25 KO infamy - goes the full ten stanzas with Rocha the unanimous winner 100-90, 99-91, 97-93.

Regardless of the math, this one was fan friendly in action - the Rocha advantage the better overall tools - the power left-hook body punches a good mix for the age 25 Rocha now at 19-1, 6 KO - ugly rumor just in has Rocha penciled for August date with Gerry Penalosa. Not near ready for the today top name at 118.

GEL