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De Leon and Mares put aside friendship: War Imminent this Saturday Night PhilBoxing.com Thu, 02 May 2013  Los Angeles, CA (April 29, 2013)- An intriguing fight without a doubt, will pit two-division world champion, Daniel ''Tarahumara Destroyer'' Ponce De Leon, (44-4, 35 KO's) defending his WBC Featherweight crown against the undefeated, fellow former two-division world champion Abner Mares, (25-0-1, 13 KO's) as part of the featured fights on the ''MAY DAY'' Mayweather vs. Guerrero fight card taking place this Saturday night at the MGM GRAND in Las Vegas, Nevada. With distinct styles which promise to mesh and make for an explosive bout, the warriors, at one time under the same camp know each other well, have put aside their friendship and go to battle as one will try and defend his title, while the other wants to capture his third in as many divisions. Having De Leon and Mares under the same promoter in golden boy promotions made for an an easy negotiation in making the bout. The 32 year-old southpaw, Cuautemoc, Chihuahua, Mexico's own, Daniel Ponce De Leon, a 2000 Olympan who won his first title, the WBO Super Bantamweight strap against Sod Looknongyangtoy in 2005 is coming off a September, capturing the WBC 126 LB. belt against the dangerous puncher Jhonny Gonzalez and will be making the first defense of the title. Never one to shy away from any fight, De Leon welcomed the fight since it's inception despite being friendly and having known Mares for a long time. Friend or not, the fight goes on, with De Leon stating that knowing Mares is a plus all around as he sees it. "No, knowing and being friendly with Mares is not a detriment, on the contrary, that helps us in giving the public a good fight as we know his style well, three years back when we used to spar together, he wasn't as solid as he is now, now he is more rounded, he used to be more of a boxer back then, back has developed into a come forward, pressure fighter ? and a good one at that as of late." So adjustments always come into play, as the vastly underrated De Leon went on to say. "If he comes forward, I will adjust and perhaps box a bit myself to avoid head clashes and the like, and yes we have prepared for anything, I have brought in sparring which concentrated in boxing, movers, pressure fighters and mixing it all up thus far." Never one to get out of shape, De Leon is all but in weight. "I will maintain 2 to 3 Lbs. the week leading into the fight, I want to make sure that I eat well, and with exercises stay well within weight so I can be very string as always on fight night." "Business is business, we have to leave friendship on the side, that will make for a better fight, as we know and that people are very interested in our fight, of course that Mayweather vs. Guerrero is the main attraction, but I'm sure that we will do our best to steal the show and retain my belt." Mares, hailing from Guadalajara, Mexico, a long-time Hawaiian Gardens, California resident, represented Mexico in the 2004 Olympics and defeated Joseph Agbeko for the IBF Bantamweight belt in 2011, moved on to win the WBC Super Bantamweight title against Eric Morel and defeated the highly respected Anselmo Moreno in his last outing this past November. Mares echoed some of the same sentiments towards De Leon and their friendship outside and inside the ring. In a SHOWTIME produced piece which is currently being played on youtube, Mares went on to say. "Frank (De Leon's Manager which is shared with Mares) came to me and he said, Ponce's fight fell through, what do you think of fighting him? (De Leon was supposed to fight Jason Velez a couple of months back, with Velez pulling out at the last minute.) "My first reaction was.. I know this guy, we used to train at the same gym, I consider him a friend, I know his family, but we both know that this is business." "It's funny how you dream about becoming world champion, I conquered that not once, but twice, the goal of mine is to become a three-time world champion." That will not be an easy task as De Leon has proven himself time and time again. Mares, who has been through much adversity in his life, has taken many punches, inside and outside the ring, speaking about it, with his goal clearly set, goes on to reflect about his life leading into the fight. ?It's amazing how my mom and family came to this country without no language, no money and now headlining a big event, you know as I did my last fight.? ?So my mom broke down in tears and told me how proud she was of me, and I can only say the same thing of my mom." One thing's for sure, De Leon vs. Mares is a can't miss barn burner and potential fight of the year come Saturday night. Also on the card will be- Former IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo ''Terremoto'' Santa Cruz takes on Alexander Munoz for the vacant USBA Junior Featherweight title. Middleweight J'Leon faces Gabriel Rosado in a 10-round middleweight bout for the vacant NABF Middleweight strap. "MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero" tickets are priced at $1,500, $1,250, $800 and $600, not including applicable service charges, a ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also be available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. General admission tickets for the "MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero" closed circuit telecasts at ARIA, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo and New York-New York, are priced at $50, not including handling fees, are available for purchase at each individual property's box office outlets and by phone with a major credit card at 866-799-7711. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. Tickets also are available through Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.  |
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