By Joseph Herron: This past Saturday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, Abner Mares continued to prove to his detractors that he is indeed for real. The 26 year old fighter overcame his toughest test to date in Panamanian sharpshooter Anselmo Moreno by applying massive pressure and placing shots in every opening.
After the sensational unanimous decision victory, the undefeated Golden Boy star announced that he had one fighter on his 2013 radar.
“I want to fight Nonito Donaire,” proclaims the reigning WBC Super Bantamweight Champion. “This is the fight that the public wants. This is the fight that the people want to see at 122 pounds. It’s only right that boxing gives the fans that fight. The fight fans shouldn’t have to wait years to see the best take on the best.”
“My fans consider me to be the best 122 pound fighter in the world and his fans consider him to be the best Super Bantamweight in the world, and there’s only one way to find out who truly deserves to be called the best fighter in the Light Featherweight division. The fans are demanding that fight.”
“I want that fight. Donaire said that he would take the fight. The fight fans would love the fight. My promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, stated that they would sit down with Bob Arum and negotiate a deal to make it happen. So there’s really no reason why a fight between me and Nonito Donaire shouldn’t happen.”
While the fight fans would indeed love to see the two best Super Bantamweight fighters in the world pitted against each other, “The Filipino Flash” has a date set with five division world title holder Jorge “El Travieso” Arce on December 15th, in Houston, Texas.
But even if “The Ring” recognized 122 pound champion is successful next month in defeating the tough Mexican favorite, most fight pundits speculate that a showdown with current WBA Champion Guillermo Rigoneaux is the more likely fight to take place in 2013.
Both Donaire and Rigondeaux currently fight under the Top Rank promotional banner, and a fight between the Filipino icon and the Cuban exile would also be very appealing to most boxing fans.
Although the proposed Top Rank pairing would be very intriguing, the current WBC Champ truly believes that a fight between Abner Mares and Nonito Donaire would be the most exciting match up that could be made in the Super Bantamweight division.
“The fans want to see exciting fights with the best fighters in the boxing. That’s what Mares vs. Donaire would be; two entertaining fighters who always bring their best to the ring. It would be a high risk fight for both of us. That’s what makes a fight with me and Donaire so special. Everything would be on the line.”
While taking on one of the most talented fighters in boxing would indeed be a tremendous risk for the undefeated, two-division champ, Abner Mares believes that the fight fans truly need to see the dangerous match-ups at this time for the sport of boxing to flourish.
“I know that a fight between me and Nonito Donaire would be a ‘Fight of the Year’ type of contest. Because of both of our styles, I think we could really give the fans a real treat and a fight to remember.”
“Obviously I feel that I have what it takes to beat Nonito, but I’m not so concerned with that. If I win, I win…and if I lose, I lose. It happens in boxing. I’m not in the ring to protect my record and I think my chosen path up to this point reflects that attitude. There’s too much importance being placed on wins and losses in the industry currently.”
“Fighters win some and they lose some. The greater importance should be placed on the best fighting the best, and whether or not they give their best effort in the ring. If I know that I gave it my best in the ring, then the victory is just a bonus.”
“I don’t think my fans really want to see me fight anyone else but Nonito, and that’s the fight that I want to give them.”
