Rematch after controversial ending

IBF bantamweight champion Abner Mares will face former belt holder Joseph Agbeko tonight at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California for the second time in four months.

Mares, 25, defeated Agbeko in the final of the IBF Bantamweight Tournament, which also involved Vic Darchinyan and Yonnhy Perez, in August to take the title and will now meet the Ghanaian again after a contentious ending to the first bout..

The bout was shrouded in controversy over low blows issued by Mares and after referee Russell Mora failed to deduct a point despite five fouls from the Mexican, the IBF felt compelled to act to award a rematch to the former champion.

31 year-old Agbeko lost the title he had previously held since 2007 on that occasion but now gets an immediate chance to reverse the decision and will go into the fight as a slight underdog.