The Stub Hub Center (formerly Home Depot Center) has been the site of many fights of the year candidates, Vazquez vs. Marquez 3, Rios vs. Alvarado I, and Bradley vs. Provodnikov. On August 24th in Carson, the essence from these past fights will linger in the air when WBC Featherweight World Championship Abner Mares (26-0-1 14KOs) takes on former Two-Division World Champion Jhonny Gonzalez (54-8 46KOs).
Mares won the title back in May when he defeated Daniel Ponce De Leon in the 9th round by TKO. Mares’ moved up to Featherweight to challenge for the title and he feels his power came with him “I proved against Ponce De Leon that I could carry my power to this weight class”.
Mares and Gonzalez are no strangers to each other as they were once both trained by Nacho Beristain. “I was one of Jhonny’s sparring partners in Big Bear, Calif., before his fight against Israel Vazquez,” said Mares. Many things have changed since 2006 in the careers for both fighters “That was a long time ago and look at where we are now. I’m the champion and defending against him”.
Gonzalez lost his last fight to former champion Ponce De Leon but Mares isn’t taking him lightly “I’m really looking forward to this fight and this challenge. Jhonny’s a tough boxer-puncher. He has almost 60 pro fights. I know he’s coming with everything he has.”
Mares does not shy away from tough battles and wants to put on a show, “This is going to be a tough fight for both of us, but a great fight for the fans. I want tough fights and I want to fight the best. I want to give the fans nothing but great fights”.
Eric Gomez, Vice President & Matchmaker of Golden Boy Promotions thinks highly of this new Featherweight star stating “Abner’s been on a phenomenal eight or nine fight run. I don’t think anyone in boxing has had one like it. When you have an Abner Mares fight, you just know it’s going to be an exciting fight.” Gomez continued by saying that Mares has shown willingness to take on all opponents “Abner Mares has always said, ‘just line the fighters up,’ and that’s what a matchmaker loves to hear.”
Mares has a good resume and has defeated fighters at the top, leaving many fans to consider him one of the best p4p fighters in the world. Frank Espinoza, Mares’ manager thinks his fighters new accolades are merited, “To get to the level where we are, you fight the best, and Abner has fought all the best and that’s why he’s considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.” he continued “Jhonny Gonzalez is just another one of those great fighters, a former world champion, who we’ll face. Abner’s fought anybody and everybody.”
Mares is confident about the upcoming bout and he is looking forward to his future, “I hope to continue to make a name for myself on August 24 and look forward to fighting again on SHOWTIME in front of my hometown fans.”
