Tuesday 10 October 2017 11:58, UK
Abner Mares says he is “in his prime” and ready to avenge his defeat to Leo Santa Cruz, but first he must get past Andres Gutierrez this Sunday morning.
The 31-year-old will take on fellow Mexican Gutierrez at the StubHub Center, California, in a defence of his WBA 'regular' featherweight world title, live on Sky Sports.
Mares is confident that victory will set up a rematch with WBA Super Champion Santa Cruz, who also fights on the bill, and the three-weight world champion has vowed to make a statement before avenging that loss from two years ago.
"At first, I'm not going to lie, and most people know I felt upset. I felt a little irritated that I wasn't getting that [Santa Cruz] fight," Mares said.
"At the same time, things happen for a reason and it gives us that much time to get ready even more for the Leo Santa Cruz fight.
"But, again we're not looking past Gutierrez, he's a great fighter, he's a hungry kid, I'm not that old and people make me sound old, but I'm not.
"I remember when I was that age, 26, and I got my opportunity for a world title. So, I can imagine how happy he is and really looking forward to this fight. But, again I'm no push over, I'm in my prime, I'm in my movement, I'm strong, I feel great.
"I already said I've been doing really, really well in spar sessions. I really look forward to just making a statement that we are here to stay."
At 31, Mares insists that he wants to just be in big fights and even if the Santa Cruz rematch fails to materialise, the Mexican will happily take on any other champion.
"Nothing's for sure in boxing, to be honest," he continued. "I'm just looking forward to getting in the ring.
"I got Gutierrez now. That's the guy I'm fighting, that's the guy I'm focused on. So, I've been saying, if it's not Leo the next fight, even though they're saying it is, I want Frampton too.
"And if not Frampton, I want Oscar Valdez, if it's not Oscar Valdez, any world champion out there. So, we're not just looking at Leo now because we've been through that."
Watch five world-title fights, including Leo Santa Cruz, Jermell Charlo and Abner Mares, live from America, from 12.30am, Sunday morning, on Sky Sports Main Event.
