Saturday, June 25, had been earmarked as a special night of boxing.

The Barclays Center in Brooklyn was to host two WBA world title fights. In the main event, WBA World welterweight champion Keith Thurman is still scheduled to face former IBF champion Shawn Porter in defense of his title. But the co-main between WBA World featherweight champion Jesus Cuellar (28-1, 21 KOs) and former WBC champion Abner Mares (29-2-1, 15 KOs) has been cancelled by the New York State Athletic Commission due to a medical condition concerning Mares.

CBS/Showtime and promoter Lou DiBella are remaining tightlipped, which has fueled speculation as to what the medical condition might be. DiBella said in the statement, “Abner’s condition is in no way life-threatening, nor was it revealed in a blood or urine test; there was no use of any drugs, including PEDs or other banned substances…In honoring Abner’s right to medical confidentiality, no further information will be released on this situation unless he chooses.”

That Mares’ condition is not life-threatening and did not involve PEDs is somewhat reassuring. But whether or not his career is in jeopardy has not been addressed.

According to ESPN.com, Mares failed two eye examinations that the NYSAC administered this week, making him ineligible to fight Cuellar.

Maybe the NYSAC is taking no chances after flubbing the November 2013 fight between Magomed Abdusalamov and Mike Perez at Madison Square Garden, a tragedy that left Abdusalamov permanently disabled with a severe brain injury. The commission might be playing it safe; as well it might, with the ongoing (and unexplained) shakeup in its ranks drawing even more attention to the goings-on in New York City.

This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.