USC’s Galen Center, Los Angeles, California - Former three division beltholder Abner Mares (30-2-1, 15 KOs) has bounced back strong from last year's defeat to Leo Santa Cruz, with a dominating twelve round split decision over  Jesus Cuellar (28-2, 21 KOs) to capture the WBA "regular" featherweight championship. The scores were 117-110 for Mares, a very odd score of 115-112 for Cuellar and 116-111 for Mares.

The fight was originally scheduled to take place in June, but it was pushed back after Mares failed a medical exam in New York City.

They had a clash of heads very quickly when they came out in the first. Mares was dominating the action with hard hooks and combinations that were knocking Cuellar back. Mares was outworking Cuellar in the second, unloading with good punches and catching the champion when they were trading at close range. Cuellar was getting more active and beating on the body of Mares to slow him down. He was finally backing Mares up near the end.

Cuellar was taking the fight to Mares in the third. Mares was holding Cuellar when he got too close. Cuellar was starting to back Mares up more often and walking through most of what Mares landed. Cuellar continued to press forward in the fourth and pushed Mares back. Mares continued to grab Cuellar in close. Mares was landing some good counters that Cuellar was walking through.

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Mares was landing very solid shots on Cuellar in the fifth round. Cuellar seemed to be a little frustrated. Mares was fending off attacks, landing good counters and using movement to make Cuellar work harder. Mares continued to ouxbox Cuellar and used solid footwork during the sixth. Cuellar was smothering his own work by rushing in too fast on Mares, who would then hold him.

Cuellar was starting to land a little more in the seventh, but Mares was doing the better work and he was still the busier fighter. The same pace continued in the eight, with Mares showing his solid chin by not being affected by anything Cuellar landed. Cuellar had a much better ninth, but Mares likely stole the round with some flashier shots landing during the final minute.

Cuellar was launching the attacks, but not being able to land during the tenth. Mares was catching him with solid shots, using movement and staying out of range for Cueller's counters. During the eleventh, a big right hand from Mares sent Cuellar down. Mares stated pushing forward and he was unloading on Cuellar against the ropes, and nearly stopped him. Cuellar survived and tried to go for broke in the twelfth, but Mares mostly coasted and played it smart while Cuellar gave chase.