Abner Mares

By David A. Avila

SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA.-Whether it’s a person’s first child or a boxing promoter’s first signed rookie prizefighter there is a closeness that can never be forgotten. That’s how Golden Boy Promotions feels about bantamweight contender Abner Mares.

“He’s very important to us,” said Eric Gomez vice president and matchmaker for Golden Boy Promotions. “Abner was one of the first amateur fighters we signed.”

It’s been a seven year journey since Mares (21-0-1, 13 KOs) contracted with Golden Boy Promotions to become one of its first rookie prizefighters. Now the Montebello resident will be fighting IBF bantamweight titleholder Joseph Agbeko (28-2, 22 KOs) for the title on April 13. The championship fight takes place at the Hard Rock Casino Hotel in Las Vegas and will be televised on Showtime.

When Mares signed in 2004, Golden Boy Promotions was still a fledgling company feeling its way through the murky maze that is the boxing world. They already had established world champions like Bernard Hopkins and Marco Antonio Barrera, but had not developed anyone from scratch.

Then came Mares knocking on the door.

Mares represented Mexico in the 2004 Olympics in Greece and was one of a handful of boxers that would agree to allow Golden Boy Promotions to guide their careers. Though he didn’t win a medal the amateur star’s abilities were recognized by experts.

“He’s not like other fighters who can only fight one way,” said Frank Espinoza, who now manages Mares and managed former world champions Israel Vazquez, Martin Castillo and Yonnhy Perez. “Abner can adapt to any fighting style and that’s very important.”

The journey Mares took on his way to this point has crossed many paths including various boxing trainers like Joe Hernandez, Floyd Mayweather Sr., Nacho Beristain, Joel Diaz and now Clemente Medina. All are different and all of their distinct styles and tutelage has led to a multi-layered prizefighter on the verge of a world championship.

“I learned a lot from all of them,” says Mares 25.

From Hernandez, who also trained former world champion Daniel Ponce De Leon, he learned intense physical training.

“He really got a fighter into condition,” Mares said of Hernandez.

From Mayweather, who also trained multi world champion Oscar De La Hoya, he learned the importance of defense and speed.

“He likes to work on rapid punches and head movement,” Mares said of Mayweather. “He also instills in you a sense of cockiness. He makes you believe you are the best.”

With Beristain, a Mexico City-based trainer who guides world champion Juan Manuel Marquez  and many others, Mares says he learned technique and repetition.

“He drills in you that for every punch another fighter throws there is a counter move,” Mares said of Beristain. “He makes you work on punch technique over and over.”

Recently Mares lived in Coachella where he worked under Diaz.

“Because he’s young still, Joel (Diaz) has so much energy,” said Mares about Diaz. “The whole gym has a lot of energy and there is always loud music and great fighters to spar. I even sparred with Timothy Bradley.”

In consecutive bouts Mares skirmished with world champions Yonnhy Perez and Vic Darchinyan. The bout against Perez ended in a draw and the fight with Darchinyan was a split decision win in Mares favor.

“In every fight you learn something,” Mares said. “After my fight with Perez I learned not to back up at times and it also helped when I fought Darchinyan.”

Destination: World Title

Now Mares is guided by Medina where he prepares at a mixed martial arts gym located in Santa Fe Springs. On a daily basis his sparring sessions are watched by the dozens of MMA practitioners anxious to witness an elite boxer.

“It’s kind of cool,” says Mares. “I’ve never had people just drop by and watch me train before.”

The Southern California native believes his impending battle with IBF champion Agbeko will be one of intelligence.

“He’s a lot like me he can do a little of everything,” Mares said of Agbeko. “He knows how to box a lot of different styles too.”

It’s taken a long journey for Mares to recognize the value of experience.

“I’ve learned so much over the years,” Mares said.

Fights on television

Fri. ESPN2, 6 pm., Tim Coleman (19-1-1) vs. Vernon Paris (24-0).

Sat. pay-per-view, 6 p.m., UFC 133 Rashad Evans (20-1-1) vs. Tito Ortiz (17-8-1);

Victor Belfort (19-9) vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-3);

Sat. Showtime, 7 p.m., Kelly Pavlik (37-2) vs. Darryl Cunningham (23-2).