Nonito Donaire Wants to Fight Abner Mares on October 22 on HBO

In the controversial aftermath of Showtime's bantamweight tourney finals between Abner Mares and Joseph Agbeko for the IBF bantamweight world title, WBC and WBO bantamweight world champion Nonito Donaire (26-1, 18 KOs) has issued a challenge to the winner and criticism to the referee.

According to Phil Boxing, Donaire called referee Russel Mora a "horrible referee" after he awarded a knockdown to Mares (22-0-1, 13 KOs) in Round 11 for landing a low blow on Agbeko (28-2, 22 KOs) that caused the former champ to take a knee in pain.

The referee also failed to deduct any points from Mares for his repeated low blows throughout the night. Even Al Bernstein, legendary commentator for Showtime fights, was appalled as he called it, "the most disgraceful performance of a referee that I have seen in the past 15 years."

According to Ring Magazine, Donaire doesn't have an opponent lined up for his October 22 fight date at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California which is set to air live on HBO.

Donaire had this to say about a possible unification match with Mares, “if they want to make it happen I’m always ready to fight him. I don’t mind whoever they put in front of me. If they want to get Mares, I don’t mind.”

When questioned about Mares' habit of landing low blows, Donaire replied, "I don’t think he can because he won’t be able to catch me.”

As much as a fight with Donaire might be of interest, Agbeko and his promoter Don King have even heavier interests in a rematch after feeling their championship was stolen by bad refereeing.

Allan Hopper of Don King productions said the following to Ring Magazine, “I talked to Don after the fight and he said ‘I love Keith Kizer, I love the Commission, but they need to make this right.’ There will be protests filed everywhere that protests can be filed.”

Kizer is the executive director of the NSAC (Nevada State Athletics Commission) and if King is going to him with his complaints, then Agbeko's team is serious about getting a rematch. Donaire might have to wait until early next year to land a unification match.

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