Philippines, 05 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


MASAM SPORTS 73: ABNER MARES RETURNS TO THE RING AFTER FOUR YEARS


PhilBoxing.com





The 36-year-old Abner Mares, the former three-division world champion, is back to face Miguel Flores on the pay-per-view undercard of the high-profile heavyweight showdown between Andy Ruiz Jr. and Luis Ortiz on Sunday night in downtown Los Angeles.

“I’m just coming back for the love,” Mares (31-3-1, 15 KOs) was quoted by The Associated Press. “If I don’t do it now, I’m going to regret it for the rest of my life. I’m 36. I’m so capable. If I were to wait another year, two more years and be like, ‘Man, you should have taken that fight,’ I would never forgive myself for that.”

Mares from Guadalajara, Mexico lost an entertaining rematch with Léo Santa Cruz in June 2018. He was supposed to face Gervonta “Tank” Davis in February 2019, but had to withdraw from the fight due to a detached retina inflected during a sparring session.

Mares had successful surgery and was cleared by the doctor to return to boxing after a year and the doctor who have done his surgery will attend the fight on Sunday.

Mares has held world titles in three weight classes, including the IBF bantamweight title, the WBC super bantamweight title, the WBC featherweight title, and the WBA (Regular) featherweight title.

Flores (25-4, 12 KOs), age 30, is from Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico. He lost to Leo Santa Cruzby unanimous decision on November 2019 for the vacant WBA (Super) super featherweight title.

* * *

New Philippine Sports Commission chairman Noli Eala set three major targets in his administration as the country's sports czar. These are to sustain the success of the glorious achievements of the past leadership, develop grassroots sports and tap the private sectors similar to the old Gintong Alay days.

“We have made great strides in the last few years in sports,” said Eala, who became the PSC’s 11th chairman, as quoted by PhilStar Sports. "My new administration will seek to ensure sustainability of the success of our programs for the long term,” he added.

“We will reach out to the private sector, similar to the golden years of the Gintong Alay program, to harness their support for all stakeholders of sports,” Eala added.

Curiously, it was Gintong Alay former head and now Laoag City Mayor Michael Keon, who was purportedly one of those who recommended Eala’s appointment.

The former PBA commissioner and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director promised to push for the realization of his goals. "The PSC will have a new face and new energy. The PSC, under my watch, will care for sports like no other,” he said.

* * *

Stephen Curry said several times that he wants to retire with the only team he's ever played for, the Golden State Warriors. After winning his fourth championship and first Finals MVP, Curry said, "I don't want to leave ever. I want this to be my one and only home."

But while receiving the key to the city of Charlotte on Thursday, the crowd applauded the idea of Curry playing for Charlotte, his home city.

"I've always said I wanted to finish my career out in Golden State because of how much it means to me, and the experiences and teammates and the journey that we've been on," Curry was quoted by CBS Sports. "Everybody asks me, 'Wouldn't you want to play one year for the Hornets and come back and see what ...'" The crowd cheered before he could finish his talk.

"Oh no, don't do that, don't do that," Curry said. "I'm not breaking any news right now, I'm not making any promises. All I would say though is if there was a team that I did want to play for that was not named the Warriors, that would be it. That's all I can say about that."

Curry's father Dell played for 10 seasons for the Hornets in the late '80s through the '90s. He retired as the Charlotte Hornets' all-time leader in points (9,839) and three-point field goals made (929).


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • “Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • “I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Feb 2026
  • International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 02 Feb 2026
  • 76ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.