New York commission cancels Abner Mares’ title fight due to medical condition

The June 25 featherweight title shot of former three-division world champion Abner Mares of Hawaiian Gardens has been canceled by the New York State Athletic Commission because of Mares’ medical condition.

Mares was to fight current World Boxing Assn. featherweight champion Jesus Cuellar of Argentina at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

CBS/Showtime and fight promoter Lou DiBella declined to reveal what the condition was beyond saying it wasn’t life-threatening and did not involve a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs.

It’s no secret, however, that Mares has fought for years with an eye that was previously damaged. He most recently fought in August, losing a majority decision to Leo Santa Cruz after passing California’s eye exam.

The New York State Athletic Commission has been under intense scrutiny following the handling of injured heavyweight Magomed Abdusalamov, who remains bedridden with major brain injuries. The fighter’s attorney filed a lawsuit this week requesting information from an internal investigation that has stalled, and former commission executive director David Berlin was removed from his position by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Two people connected to the Mares fight, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they’re not authorized to discuss his health publicly, said that if the bout were in another state it would probably be approved.

DiBella said it would be irresponsible to rush a replacement opponent to fight Cuellar on eight days’ notice.

So the most likely bout to open the broadcast becomes the middleweight fight between former Olympian Oscar Molina (13-0-1, 10 knockouts) vs. Maryland’s Jarrett Hurd (17-0, 11 KOs).

Mares was not immediately available for comment.

Follow Lance Pugmire on Twitter: @latimespugmire