“Winner Takes All” on April 23!

Who will be the last man standing on April 23 in “The Bantamweight Tournament Final: Winner Takes All”?

The four-man competition resumes in a couple of months at the Nokia Theatre at L.A. LIVE. A press conference was recently held with the fighting foursome all appearing in person to kick off the upcoming clash in Los Angeles. Joseph Agbeko will take on Abner Mares in the final’s main event; former champions Vic Darchinyan and Yonnhy Perez will square off in the co-feature “consolation” bout.

Agbeko, Mares, Darchinyan and Perez all spoke to the assembled crowd with the talented and skilled warriors keeping the talk respectful and civil during the event held at the Conga Room. This knockout group of guys prefer to let the fireworks take place inside the squared circle.

Promoted by Don King Productions, Gary Shaw Productions, Golden Boy Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions, this final contest will be broadcast live on SHOWTIME with the four gladiators fighting for ultimate bragging rights in 118-pound-for-pound supremacy.

The successful round-robin has been a fan favorite even before the first December bouts took place. Now the two winners of that matchup are set on a collision course as IBF Bantamweight Champ Agbeko faces WBC Silver Bantamweight Champion Mares.

The importance of the tournament was made clear by the quick turnaround trips made by the international fighters; Australia’s Darchinyan and Colombia’s Perez were only in Los Angeles for mere hours. With Agbeko from Ghana and the Guadalajara-born Mares, this unprecedented war in the ring has universal appeal for all boxing aficionados.

Accompanied by their trainers, promoters and corners, all said they will be ready and in shape; all said they are coming to win–both physically and mentally. Promoters Oscar De La Hoya, Gary Shaw, Ken Thompson, Alan Hopper (representing Don King) were all on the dais during the well-orchestrated news conference.

Perez, who was seen during December’s pre-fight fighter’s meeting breaking down in tears when asked about the sacrifice’s he’s made to his family, said the April brawl will be different. He will be there mentally this time. Trainer Danny Zamora made no excuses for the defeat by Agbeko in their rematch. While chatting with the amiable Santa Fe Springs coach, he said that in speaking with his young charge, he told Yonnhy, “You lost; you lost fair and square.” But come April 23, the championship-caliber Perez will be back and gunning for a victory. Dedicating his fights to his wife and sons Mateo and Yonnhy Jr., the slugger already looked in fighting shape at last week’s news conference. This time, he will be in the game both mentally–and physically.

His explosive opponent Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan will be ready and waiting as well. At the mic, Vic did address the issue of low blows in his Mares match saying he was “upset and pissed off” but promised, “I will come much stronger; I will get in shape.”

In the main attraction, Agbeko and Mares are scheduled for their own 12-round slugfest. “King Kong” Agbeko, displayed his love for the sweet science, telling the audience, “Boxing is the most beautiful sport.” He also paid tribute to his fellow “warriors in the ring and best friends outside the ring.”

For California resident Mares, the SoCal fans have made him a crowd-pleasing favorite, a fact not lost on his promoter who has certainly been there before. Golden Boy President Oscar De La Hoya says that the charismatic Mares is the boxer that the public knows; the boxer the public wants to win.

One team member that echoes this statement is trainer Clemente Medina. I asked the veteran coach his prediction. He said with a smile, “Mares by a knockout–in the sixth round!” Abner had a great group of supporters attending the affair, with his wife Nathalie, friends Thalia, Jessica and Team Mares all outfitted in green, white and red shirts.

Medina then went over to say hello to De La Hoya whom I wished a “Happy Birthday” to. The “Golden Boy” celebrated his B-day on February 4 and, as always, was surrounded by well-wishers at the presser.

A Darchinyan camp member even wanted to take time to greet the East L.A. icon. Nazo Boxing’s Hovo Ayranjyan brought along his famous photo gloves to the Conga Room to lend support to the “Raging Bull” camp. His company supplies the collectible boxing gloves that you see at all the major fights. Greeting the golden one, Hovo was happy to meet up with one of the biggest and most beloved superstars of the sport.

So who will be the next big superstar that the public will embrace?

Will Mares, Agbeko, Perez or Darchinyan further cement their star status in boxing’s universe?

Proving they can bang with the best, the one promise is that all four bantamweights will put on a thrilling show on April 23.

And whose hand will be raised in victory?

Will it be “King Kong” Agbeko or Abner Mares?

Only one champion will wear the crown on April 23.

This one’s for all the marbles, folks. WINNER TAKES ALL.

Tickets: 800-745-3000

Photos by Michele Chong