Photo by Tom Hogan/Hogan Photos
Abner Mares returned on the undercard of the Canelo Alvarez vs. Erislandy Lara Super Welterweight matchup on Saturday, July 12, 2014.
It had been almost a year since Mares stepped through the ropes to fight. Back then, Mares was the WBC Featherweight Champion of the world, facing what seemed to be an old and war torn fighter in Jhonny Gonzalez.
Oh, how everyone was wrong.
In just the first round, Gonzalez stunned the crowd and the boxing world by knocking out the young superstar.
On Saturday night, Mares sought redemption as he took on Jonathan Oquendo in a 10-round bout.
After a sloppy and tough to watch bout, Mares won a hard fought and close unanimous decision.
Now with a confidence boosting win under his belt and the Gonzales KO loss behind him, Mares can focus on his future in the Featherweight division.
With the promotional cold war thawing between Golden Boy and Top Rank, the Al Haymon managed Mares may have the opportunity to fight almost anyone in the division.
Here are three best fights for Abner Mares to consider.
Evgeny Gradovich
The Mexican Russian fighter out of Oxnard who holds the IBF Featherweight belt would prove a tough out for Abner Mares, but it would be a fun fight and definitely a fan favorite.
This match could be held in Southern California, most likely the Stub Hub Center where all the best wars take place.
Mares might be a bit timid to take this fight, with Evgeny Gradovich being a tough champion who has a strong chin, but devoid of KO power. It would be a great fight.
Jhonny Gonzalez
Of course this match has to be on the list. After a strange set of circumstances that shed a bad light on Abner Mares, barring him from going forward with the rematch against Jhonny Gonzalez, he lost some fans.
To regain not only his fans, but also his confidence, Mares would get back the title he dropped when he was knocked out in their first fight.
Style wise, it’s a good fight. Both are good boxers that aren’t afraid to mix it up and that’s what made the first bout exciting, even if it did last just one round.
Nonito Donaire
He says, she says. That basically sums up the back-and-forth between Nonito Donaire and Abner Mares back when both fighters were on top of their own divisional lists.
Expect these two, if they were to fight, to throw caution to the wind and just try to demolish each other.
Although they aren’t the fighters they once were, they can still be exciting!
