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GYM TALES: ABNER MARES WORKING HARD FOR MARCH 7 RETURN WITH EYE ON BIGGER PRIZE IN THE FUTURE

By Luis Sandoval | February 25, 2015
GYM TALES: ABNER MARES WORKING HARD FOR MARCH 7 RETURN WITH EYE ON BIGGER PRIZE IN THE FUTURE

Abner Mares has found himself in a very fortunate position. The Hawaiian Gardens native will be one of several fighters showcased on the March 7 debut of Premier Boxing Champions on NBC. As boxing makes its return to network television after nearly 30 years, Mares also makes his return to the ring for the first time in 2015. Last year, he got up and dusted himself off after his lone loss Jhonny Gonzalez in 2013, notching two wins under his belt since then. He's now ready to show that he's still one of the best and is ready to make it back to the top.

"I feel privileged, blessed, and I'm happy to be showcasing once again my talents on now national TV; NBC, PBC. It's like anybody's dream come true in any aspect, in boxing or anything, and just wanting to be on TV, I'm excited and I'm looking forward to that and I can't wait to fight," he would tell FightHype during a recent visit to his gym. 

Mares underwent plenty of changes in the last 18 months, including a change in promoters as well as his management. At one point, he also changed trainers. He swapped long-time coach Clemente Medina for the highly sought out Virgil Hunter. While change is good, sometimes, if something isn't broken, there's no need to fix it, so after a one fight stint with Hunter, Mares returned back to Southern California and to his former trainer.

"I think my last fight showed it. I think the fight with Virgil, I don't take anything away from him, he's a great trainer, but he's not made for every fighter. I think he's tailor made for different types of fighters. I think my style fits perfectly for Clemente Medina. So I think you guys saw the big difference in my last fight back with Clemente. It's just back to the old Abner," he explained.

Their first fight back together was this past December, when Mares disposed of Jose Ramirez in 5 rounds on the undercard of the Amir Khan vs. Devon Alexander fight. In that fight, Mares looked impressive, as if fighter and trainer had never skipped a beat.

While some fans were disappointed to hear Mares was not fighting a top contender for his outing this March, his fight with Arturo Santos Reyes will serve as preparation for a big fight, which is once again on the horizon for Mares. Never one to overlook an opponent, however, Mares does understand that there are big opportunities for him out there if he wins this fight.

"I'm excited, no doubt. Fighting Leo Santa Cruz and even Nonito [Donaire] is still out there. I know he called me out. It would be a good fight. I would love to fight them. [Vasyl] Lomachenko. Even [Guillermo] Rigondeaux. But I can't sit down and think about it too much because I don't want it to get to my head and think ahead. If I don't get past this guy, there's none of the big fights you're talking about," said Mares.

If any fighter deserved a break and an ease in their schedule, it was Mares. From 2010 to 2013, he fought top fighter after top fighter, and more impressive is the fact that he came out of that stretch 7-1. While fight fans are impatient and want to see the best fight the best, it looks like that may be the case soon again for Mares. A fight that has long been whispered is a showdown with Mexican counterpart Leo Santa Cruz, who also just broke ties with Golden Boy and will now be joining the rest of the Al Haymon stable and PBC. Both men are due for a big fight and if they faced off, it's a fight that's guaranteed to produce fireworks. Mares definitely feels the time is now right for that fight to take place and reveals talks are already taking place.

"I think it's the right time for both of us. I think for me, it would be a great fight that could open up bigger fights. He's a big name, he's well-known here in California and in the boxing world now, and fighting him and beating him will help me no doubt, and vice versa. I think it will help him if he fights me if by any lucky chance he beats me," said Abner with a smile. "It's a win-win for both of us and for the fans too. There's talks already. Let's hope we can make and seal this fight".

Before that happens, first thing's first for Mares and that's to take care of business on March 7th against Reyes and put on a show for an audience who will see boxing on free TV for the first time in decades. Mares made it clear that he's not taking his opponent lightly and promised a good fight. "Expect a new Abner, a happy Abner that goes out there and tries to please the fans and a guy who not only tries to win the fight, but win the crowd. I know this is going to a tough fight because I know this guy. He's an ex-Olympian. So we're looking to get the win and look good doing it."

MARES' NEW DIGS

One of the takeaways from my visit to Mares' camp in Bell Gardens is the gym that he trains in. Mares has the luxury of having his own gym, which was built for him in the same building that houses Del Records, which is in the front while Mares' training lair is in the back. I've visited plenty of boxing gyms and I'd argue to say that I've never seen a fighter have quite the accommodations that Mares has at his newly built gym.

As you walk through the semi-transparent doors, which are branded with Del Records and Mares' logo, it's as if you walked into a 24 Hour or LA Fitness facility. It's a full gym with free weights, every workout machine you could think of, plus cardio and bicycle machines. An even nicer touch is that Mares also has his own private shower and sauna room. This is, of course, all in addition to the 2nd half of his gym, which has a full-sized boxing ring with all the heavy bags and speed bags you'll find at any boxing gym. Mares even has an upstairs private area that has a flat screen TV, plush chairs to sit and enjoy, and even his own bedroom where he can rest and relax after a hard workout.

Marvin Hagler once said it's hard to get up in the morning when you sleep in silk pajamas, but for Mares, you get the sense the things he's afforded are why he continues to work hard. He sees the fruits of his labor and wants to continue excelling and accomplishing even more in the sport. Mares punished the pads with trainer Medina as he looked strong and sharp with the fight still a couple weeks out.

FINAL THOUGHTS

- I'm glad Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is finally upon us, but those hotel and tickets rates are higher than an opera note.

- While Jim Lampley said Golovkin's win over Murray wasn't his best performance, I disagree. I think he showed us how he responds when a guy doesn't just come in to lay down. He broke down Murray, who refused to give in, even though he was taking a beating.

- I highly doubt Cotto vs. Golovkin happens. The options Arum has given to Cotto include two welterweights in Tim Bradley and Brandon Rios. Doesn't look like he's trying to fight a Middleweight any time soon; at least not Golovkin.

- Check out our video coverage on the site and our official YouTube Page.



[ Follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter @Truewest007 ]

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