Abner Mares
Abner Mares Martínez (born November 28, 1985) is a Mexican born American professional boxer. He has held multiple world championships in three weight classes, including the IBF bantamweight title from 2011 to 2012, the WBC super bantamweight title from 2012 to 2013, the WBC featherweight title in 2013, and the WBA (Regular) featherweight title from 2016 to 2018. As an amateur, Mares won numerous medals at international tournaments while representing Mexico. He grew up in the city of Hawaiian Gardens, California and holds dual citizenship with the United States and Mexico.[2][3]
Abner Mares | |
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Mares in 2010 | |
Statistics | |
Real name | Abner Mares Martínez |
Weight(s) | |
Height | 5 ft 4 1⁄2 in (164 cm)[1] |
Reach | 66 in (168 cm)[1] |
Nationality |
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Born | Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico | November 28, 1985
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 35 |
Wins | 31 |
Wins by KO | 15 |
Losses | 3 |
Draws | 1 |
Medal record
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Early life
Mares was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and at age seven his family moved to the city of Hawaiian Gardens, California. At age fifteen he was sent back to Mexico by his father.[2]
Amateur career
As an amateur, Mares compiled a record of 112-8 with 84 KOs. Mares won the U17 World Championships and the bantamweight gold medal at the Central American games 2002 beating Juan Manuel López and the silver medal in the same division in 2003 at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo. At the Junior World Championships 2004, he finished second losing to Aibek Abdimomunov. He participated in the 2004 Summer Olympics for his native country. There he was beaten in the first round of the Bantamweight (54 kg) division by Hungary's Zsolt Bedák in a highly controversial decision.[4]
Amateur highlights
- Represented Mexico at the 2004 Olympics in Athens as a Bantamweight, losing in the opening round to Zsolt Bedak of Hungary on points 27-24
- Silver medalist at the 2004 World Junior Championships
- Silver medalist at the 2003 Pan American Games, losing to Guillermo Rigondeaux, with a score of 17 - 7.
- Gold medalist at the 2002 Central American & Caribbean Games
- Gold medalist at the 2002 World Cadet Championships
Professional career
In January 2005, Mares won his professional debut against Puerto Rican Luis Malave.[5]
Bantamweight
On September 7, 2007, he won the WBO NABA Bantamweight Championship by defeating former WBO Champion Isidro García. Mares won his next three bouts before suffering an eye injury which required him to undergo surgery. He returned to the ring 10 months later by stopping Jonathan Perez. He had been trained as a professional by Hall of Famer Ignacio Beristain, however, the two split after Mares changed promotional companies.[6]
Mares vs. Perez
On May 22, 2010, Mares challenged undefeated IBF Bantamweight Champion and the No. 4 ranked Bantamweight Yonnhy Perez (20-0) for his title.[7] The bout ended in a 12-round majority draw with one judge scoring it 115-113 in favor of Mares while the other two scored it 114-114 even. The majority of the press at ringside scored the bout in favor of Mares.[8]
This marked the launch and the climb to success with world-famous trainer, Clemente Medina.
Mares vs. Darchinyan
Golden Boy Promotions announced that Mares would be taking part in Showtime's four-man single elimination bantamweight tournament, which would also include Vic Darchinyan, Joseph Agbeko and Yonnhy Perez. In the first round of the tournament, Mares faced IBO Bantamweight Champion Vic Darchinyan and defeated him by a highly controversial 12 round split decision to claim the IBO Championship title and WBC Silver title.
Mares vs. Agbeko I
Mares was scheduled to face IBF Champion and No. 3 ranked Joseph Agbeko in the final round of the tournament on April 23, 2011. However, Agbeko pulled out of the fight just days prior citing an injury. The match was rescheduled for August 13, 2011. Mares fought Agbeko on August 13 on Showtime and won the title and the tournament by majority decision. However, the match was not without controversy, as Mares delivered numerous low blows during the match, with referee Russell Mora not penalizing him with point deductions for any of the blows throughout the match. The most infamous of these blows came during the 11th round of the fight, in which a low blow from Mares landed on Agbeko's cup, causing Agbeko to drop. While the low blow was clearly visible to everyone, referee Mora ruled it as a knockdown.
Mares vs. Agbeko II
On December 3, 2011, Mares and Agbeko fought a rematch due to their controversial first fight. While the second fight proved to be much less controversial, there were still several low blow warnings from the referee to Mares. Though Agbeko had moments in the fight where he outboxed Mares from the outside, Mares closed the distance and outworked Agbeko throughout the fight, and landed the more significant punches. Mares was awarded a unanimous decision win, by the scores of 118-110 from all three judges. .
Super Bantamweight title
In Mares' next fight, he moved up to the super bantamweight division, fighting former world champion Eric Morel for the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight title. The fight took place on April 21, 2012, at a catchweight of 120 lbs. Mares effectively out worked, landed more, and landed the harder punches throughout the fight, with Morel showing significant signs of his age. Mares won a unanimous decision by the scores of 120-107, 119-109, and 119-109 to claim his first Super Bantamweight title.
Mares vs. Moreno
Mares' next fight took place on November 10, 2012, against the world No. 1 ranked bantamweight and then No.10 pound-for-pound Anselmo Moreno. Mares started the fight off fast, applying relentless pressure on Moreno, forcing Moreno to the ropes for the majority of the early rounds. Moreno still had his moments while the two were in the middle of the ring, landing clean shots, while Mares attempted to out work Moreno and attack his body while on the ropes. In the 5th round, Moreno was having success staying off the ropes when he could, and out boxing Mares in the center of the ring. Near the end of the round, Mares trapped Moreno on the ropes and landed a hard straight right hand, which ultimately sent Moreno to the canvas for the first time in his career. The following middle rounds of the fight, Mares seemed in control working the body and landing his hard overhand right, relentless pressuring Moreno for the majority of the rounds. In the 11th round, Moreno was docked a point for pushing Mares' head down while Mares rushed him on the ropes. This was seen as very controversial, given that Mares and Moreno both had been warned several times throughout the fight and only Moreno was docked a point. After the point deduction, Moreno effectively out pointed Mares in the middle of the ring during the final rounds and even successfully traded with Mares against the ropes, while Mares seemed to tire the final couple rounds.
Mares was awarded the Unanimous decision by the scores of 116-110, 116-110, and 120-106.
Mares vs. De Leon
Mares moved up to 126 lbs to fight WBC Featherweight champion and Ring No. 2 ranked Featherweight, Daniel Ponce de León in the Mayweather-Guerrero undercard on May 4, 2013, and knocked down de León in the second and ninth rounds en route to handing him a TKO loss at 2:20 of the ninth round, winning the WBC featherweight title in the process.[9]
Mares vs. Gonzalez
Mares defended his WBC Featherweight title against Jhonny Gonzalez on August 24, 2013, at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. Mares lost the fight in a first-round TKO to the underdog former champion Jhonny González. The referee stopped the fight after Mares was knocked down for the second time in the first round.[10][Video 1]
Mares would leave his management company, Espinoza Boxing Club, as well as trainer Clemente Medina. He would train with Virgil Hunter for his next fight before returning to Clemente Medina.
Professional boxing record
35 fights | 31 wins | 3 losses |
By knockout | 15 | 1 |
By decision | 16 | 2 |
Draws | 1 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
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35 | Loss | 31–3–1 | Léo Santa Cruz | UD | 12 | Jun 9, 2018 | Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | For WBA (Super) featherweight title |
34 | Win | 31–2–1 | Andrés Gutiérrez | TD | 10 (12), 2:40 | Oct 14, 2017 | StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S. | Retained WBA (Regular) featherweight title |
33 | Win | 30–2–1 | Jesús Cuellar | SD | 12 | Dec 10, 2016 | Galen Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | Won WBA (Regular) featherweight title |
32 | Loss | 29–2–1 | Léo Santa Cruz | MD | 12 | Aug 29, 2015 | Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | For vacant WBA (Super) featherweight title |
31 | Win | 29–1–1 | Arturo Santos Reyes | UD | 10 | Mar 7, 2015 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
30 | Win | 28–1–1 | Jose Ramirez | RTD | 5 (10), 3:00 | Dec 13, 2014 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
29 | Win | 27–1–1 | Jonathan Oquendo | UD | 10 | Jul 12, 2014 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
28 | Loss | 26–1–1 | Jhonny González | TKO | 1 (12), 1:55 | Aug 24, 2013 | StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S. | Lost WBC featherweight title |
27 | Win | 26–0–1 | Daniel Ponce de León | TKO | 9 (12), 2:20 | May 4, 2013 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Won WBC featherweight title |
26 | Win | 25–0–1 | Anselmo Moreno | UD | 12 | Nov 10, 2012 | Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | Retained WBC super bantamweight title |
25 | Win | 24–0–1 | Eric Morel | UD | 12 | Apr 21, 2012 | Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas, U.S. | Won vacant WBC super bantamweight title |
24 | Win | 23–0–1 | Joseph Agbeko | UD | 12 | Dec 3, 2011 | Honda Center, Anaheim, California, U.S. | Retained IBF and WBC Silver bantamweight titles |
23 | Win | 22–0–1 | Joseph Agbeko | MD | 12 | Aug 13, 2011 | The Joint, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC Silver bantamweight title; Won IBF bantamweight title |
22 | Win | 21–0–1 | Vic Darchinyan | SD | 12 | Dec 11, 2010 | Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S. | Won IBO and vacant WBC Silver bantamweight titles |
21 | Draw | 20–0–1 | Yonnhy Pérez | MD | 12 | May 22, 2010 | Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | For IBF bantamweight title |
20 | Win | 20–0 | Felipe Almanza | KO | 5 (10), 2:23 | Mar 25, 2010 | Club Nokia, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
19 | Win | 19–0 | Carlos Fulgencio | KO | 6 (8), 2:46 | Aug 27, 2009 | Club Nokia, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
18 | Win | 18–0 | Jonathan Perez | RTD | 6 (8), 3:00 | May 2, 2009 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
17 | Win | 17–0 | Jonathan Arias | UD | 10 | Jun 27, 2008 | Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, U.S. | |
16 | Win | 16–0 | Diosdado Gabi | TKO | 2 (12), 0:49 | Mar 15, 2008 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBO–NABO bantamweight title |
15 | Win | 15–0 | Damian David Marchiano | UD | 12 | Nov 17, 2007 | Borgata, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Retained WBO–NABO bantamweight title |
14 | Win | 14–0 | Isidro García | RTD | 7 (12), 3:00 | Sep 7, 2007 | Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, U.S. | Won vacant WBO–NABO bantamweight title |
13 | Win | 13–0 | Saul Gutierrez | UD | 6 | Jul 6, 2007 | Convention Center, McAllen, Texas, U.S. | |
12 | Win | 12–0 | Angel Antonio Priolo | TKO | 6 (10), 1:56 | Apr 20, 2007 | Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois, U.S. | |
11 | Win | 11–0 | Robert Allanic | RTD | 8 (10), 3:00 | Mar 2, 2007 | New Alhambra Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
10 | Win | 10–0 | Wilmer Rodriguez | TKO | 4 (10), 1:45 | Nov 25, 2006 | Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, U.S. | |
9 | Win | 9–0 | Kevin Hudgins | UD | 8 | Sep 15, 2006 | Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
8 | Win | 8–0 | Omar Adorno | UD | 8 | Feb 24, 2006 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
7 | Win | 7–0 | Yamin Mohammad | UD | 8 | Dec 16, 2005 | Convention Center, Austin, Texas, U.S. | |
6 | Win | 6–0 | Selso Bosquez | TKO | 4 (6), 2:35 | Sep 17, 2005 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
5 | Win | 5–0 | Elvis Luciano Martinez | TKO | 3 (6), 2:45 | Jul 16, 2005 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
4 | Win | 4–0 | Baladan Trevizo | TKO | 5 (6), 1:15 | Jun 16, 2005 | Sundance Square, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. | |
3 | Win | 3–0 | David Vasquez | UD | 6 | Apr 29, 2005 | Entertainment Center, Laredo, Texas, U.S. | |
2 | Win | 2–0 | Francisco Soto | KO | 5 (6), 2:47 | Feb 19, 2005 | Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
1 | Win | 1–0 | Luis Malave | TKO | 2 (6), 2:00 | Jan 6, 2005 | Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, U.S. |
References
- Showtime Championship Boxing tale of the tape prior to the second Léo Santa Cruz fight.
- HugeDomains.com - AbnerMares.com is for Sale (Abner Mares)
- Morales, Robert. "Abner Mares enjoying life as one of boxing's best". Los Angeles Daily News - Boxing. LA Daily News. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
- HBO: Boxing: Fighters: Bio: ABNER MARES
- "BoxRec Boxing Records". Boxrec.com. 2005-01-06. Retrieved 2014-05-01.
- "Nacho Beristain Dumps Mares Over Espinoza Signing - Boxing News". Boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2014-05-01.
- "News - Will Familiarity Breed Success for Mares?". Max Boxing. 2010-05-19. Retrieved 2014-05-01.
- Beacham, Greg (May 22, 2010). "Perez keeps IBF bantam belt with majority draw". USA Today.
- Tim Dahlberg (May 5, 2013). "Mayweather vs Guerrero results: Mayweather dominates Guerrero to win title fight with lopsided decision". Vancouver Sun.
- Lance Pugmire (August 25, 2013). "Jhonny Gonzalez has an answer for Abner Mares: a knockout". Los Angeles Times.
Video references
External links
Sporting positions | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Regional boxing titles | ||||
Vacant Title last held by Jhonny González |
WBO–NABO bantamweight champion September 7, 2007 – June 2008 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Christopher Avalos | ||
Vacant Title last held by Christian Esquivel |
WBC Silver bantamweight champion December 11, 2010 – April 21, 2012 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Tomoki Kameda | ||
Minor world boxing titles | ||||
Vacant Title last held by Vic Darchinyan |
IBO bantamweight champion December 11, 2010 – April 2011 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Vic Darchinyan | ||
Major world boxing titles | ||||
Preceded by Joseph Agbeko |
IBF bantamweight champion August 13, 2011 – February 8, 2012 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Léo Santa Cruz | ||
Vacant Title last held by Toshiaki Nishioka |
WBC super bantamweight champion April 21, 2012 – January 31, 2013 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Victor Terrazas | ||
Preceded by Daniel Ponce de León |
WBC featherweight champion May 4, 2013 – August 24, 2013 |
Succeeded by Jhonny González | ||
Preceded by Jesús Cuellar |
WBA featherweight champion Regular title December 10, 2016 – June 9, 2018 Vacant after loss to Santa Cruz |
Vacant Title next held by Jesús Rojas |