Saturday, March 22nd, Joseph Agbeko (28-4) will take on Luis Melendez (34-8-1) for a vacant IBO bantamweight title. The bout will be a home welcoming as it is set to take place at the Accra Sports Stadium in Arca, Ghana.
For Agbeko, the fight is considered a comeback fight due to the fact that he has not fought since December of 2011. The layoff resulted from a lawsuit Agbeko filed against Don King, which stated that Don Kong Promotions filed a Form 1042-S with the IRS and lied to Agbeko about the amount of taxes being withheld from his purse. The inaccurate information led to the accusation that King was pocketing the difference between the amount being stated and the amount actually withheld.
Nevertheless, Agbeko seems to be back on path to getting himself another opportunity at a title fight. Melendez will serve as a tune up fight in order to test how much ring rust Agbeko has obtained from the layoff.
Consequently, it should be interesting to depict how Agbeko performs as an impressive performance could lead to his inclusion in the bantamweight title picture. Even more, with titleholders Nonito Donaire and Guillermo Rigondeaux holding junior featherweight tittles, it may make sense for Agebko to attempt to move up to the weight class in search of a more significant fight and payday.
In the end, the return of Agbeko to the ring will add another meaningful name to the exciting storm that is brewing within the lower weight classes. Though, Agebko must put on an impressive performance in order to gather that momentum back he had in his first title run. It should be captivating to see the path that Agebko takes to get back into that title picture.
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