Agbeko forced out of tourney finale

Published Apr. 20, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Joseph Agbeko has been forced out of his bantamweight title bout against Abner Mares after collapsing with an apparent pinched nerve in his back.

Agbeko (28-2, 22 KOs) is the IBF bantamweight champion. He was slated to fight Mares on Saturday night in downtown Los Angeles in the final of a four-man bantamweight tournament backed by premium cable network Showtime.

The Bronx-based Agbeko collapsed shortly after arriving on the West Coast on Monday night, Showtime spokesman Chris DeBlasio said.

After a trip to the emergency room, Agbeko was diagnosed with sciatica, which is a pinched nerve in the back and legs.

Showtime hasn't decided what will happen to its card at the Nokia Theatre. Vic Darchinyan is slated to meet Yonnhy Perez in the other tournament bout.