?What?s your take on this kid, Abner Mares?” inquired Big Steve during our Sunday morning coffee at Starbucks on Brand Boulevard in Glendale:” He has a skill set of a black fighter and a heart of a Mexican.” Former Mexican Olympian is probably the best fighter in the game without a title belt around his waist. He plans to change that on August 13th when he steps in the ring to challenge current IBF king, Joseph Agbeko(28-2,22KO?S) at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.
?Training has been going perfect,” said Mares (21-0-1,13KO?S) during his media work out day in Los Angeles:? This fight is really big for me ? it?s for a world championship, it?s for the SHOWTIME Bantamweight Tournament, it can lead to bigger fights and I?m headlining in Vegas ? so what else could I ask for?” A lot is riding on this fight and there is one more important reason why some people are holding their breath for Saturday night. Should Mares be victorious he will become the first champion developed By Golden Boy Promotions form the beginning.
Abner’s first attempt at a title ended up in a highly contested draw against Colombian champion, Yonnhy Perez. Mares thought he won the fight and was extremely disappointed with judge’s decision. However despite a draw his stock as a fighter went up and he was invited to participate in a Showtime Bantamweight tournament. Abner’s second attempt at a title that was scheduled for April 23rd this year got cancelled due to Joseph Agbeko’s sudden injury. Going through two training camps for the same opponent, Abner Mares believes third time is his time.
?Training was different this time than it was for April 23,” said Mares who did part of the camp in Guadalajara, Mexico and part in Santa Fe Springs, California with his trainer Clemente Medina:? I know I?m getting ready for the same guy, but we made the camp completely different. We went down to Mexico to train and we switched gyms. It?s all new faces in there sparring and it went really quick. I feel like we just started camp last week.” Advertisement
Abner Mares who lives with his family in Montebello, California said that he is not one to watch a lot of tapes of his opponent; his preparation takes place in the gym.
?When I get there I’ll figure him out in the ring,” said Mares, 25:?He (Joseph) always trains hard and I know he?ll be ready. He?s a champion, but I want his belt. “
“Abner is ready for twelve,” confirmed trainer, Clemente Medina:” But I think he will knock this guy out.”
?Everyone got invited to join this tournament but, for whatever reason, not everyone accepted,” continued Mares who had to go through hell to beat Vic Darchinyan to get to the final:” We fought the best, we fought hard fights and the winner deserves to be recognized as the best bantamweight in the world.”
Las Vegasbook makers call this a pick em fight. Don’t miss it, even if you can’t go to Las Vegas this Saturday, it will be televised live on Showtime.
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