Abner Mares: The Son Of Guadalajara 10/28/2010
By Troy J. Hines
1/28/10
The beautiful city of Guadalajara is renowned for its rich history, landscape, architecture, and its production of extraordinary talent. World renowned artist Jose Clemente Orozco who led the “Mexican Muralism” movement with Diego Rivera, Mexican Nationalist and composer/pianist Jose Pablo Moncayo, and arguably the most important Mexican architect of the 20th Century, Luis Barragan, were all conceived in this “cultural center” of western Mexico. So it should be of no surprise that Guadalajara strikes again. Following in the footsteps of the thousands of Mexican pugilists before him, Abner Mares is on the precipice of greatness. To be courted and signed by Golden Boy Promotions is always precursor positive. In addition, Mares has joined the Espinoza Boxing Club “fraternity” which boasts the development of a stable of boxing champions, most notably two-time former WBC Super Bantamweight champ Israel Vasquez. HBO’s longtime boxing anchor Larry Merchant has dubbed Mares’ style as “Techno-Boxing”, or technical fighting, whereby the classic term boxing pundits would use is the “Boxer-Puncher”. Perhaps Mares does deserve a new style classification. The orthodox fighter has cultivated an unbelievable right hand worthy of style points, which tends to lead his opponents towards the realm of unconsciousness. His left hand is not much more pleasant. In addition to his posh over hand right, lead uppercuts to the body and head have become signature. How can you route against a young man who enters the ring in “Bernard Hopkins-esque” fashion, covering his face with a bandana while sporting a black baseball cap? Mean.Ironically, the 24 year-old boxer who grew up in Hawaii Gardens, California is a well spoken family man and student (Cerritos Community College), who just so happens to make a living through licensed assault. Sporting a professional record of 19-0-0 with 12 KO’s, the heavy handed fighter who represented Mexico in the 2004 Olympic Games, has called California his home for the last 17 years. Training under the guidance of boxings elite trainers Floyd Mayweather, Sr., Nacho Beristain, and currently Joel Diaz, who also instructs current WBO Junior Welterweight Champion Timothy Bradley, Mares is on the beaten path to success.On May 22nd at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Abner Mares will be facing undefeated and newly crowned IBF Bantamweight title holder Yohnny Perez (20-0, 14KO’s) of Colombia. As the undercard bout to the fourth meeting between featherweight “giants” Israel Vasquez and Rafael Marquez, Mares vs. Perez has the possibility of being just as explosive. I am looking forward to Mares winning the biggest fight of his life to date, and solidifying his place at the top of the division with a unanimous decision or late round stoppage.The son of Guadalajara has the chance to become great. He has been quoted as saying that he wants to be the best in the sport—an icon. Championships dwell on the other side of focus and exhaustion, and it will take that kind of mind set and self-inflicted punishment, i.e. training, to take the keys. What is it about Guadalajara that it has produced some the world’s best writers, painters, poets, and perhaps prizefighters? Is it the brave blood of the Caxcan and Zacateco, or the determination of the Conquistador that makes its people great? I would guess it’s the blend of the two. And when harmoniously in concert, they can make music out of body shots that rival the percussion of street drummers in the “Pearl of the West”. Abner Mares, without a doubt, is on his way to becoming a great fighter. How great? That is up to him.
1/28/10
The beautiful city of Guadalajara is renowned for its rich history, landscape, architecture, and its production of extraordinary talent. World renowned artist Jose Clemente Orozco who led the “Mexican Muralism” movement with Diego Rivera, Mexican Nationalist and composer/pianist Jose Pablo Moncayo, and arguably the most important Mexican architect of the 20th Century, Luis Barragan, were all conceived in this “cultural center” of western Mexico. So it should be of no surprise that Guadalajara strikes again. Following in the footsteps of the thousands of Mexican pugilists before him, Abner Mares is on the precipice of greatness. To be courted and signed by Golden Boy Promotions is always precursor positive. In addition, Mares has joined the Espinoza Boxing Club “fraternity” which boasts the development of a stable of boxing champions, most notably two-time former WBC Super Bantamweight champ Israel Vasquez. HBO’s longtime boxing anchor Larry Merchant has dubbed Mares’ style as “Techno-Boxing”, or technical fighting, whereby the classic term boxing pundits would use is the “Boxer-Puncher”. Perhaps Mares does deserve a new style classification. The orthodox fighter has cultivated an unbelievable right hand worthy of style points, which tends to lead his opponents towards the realm of unconsciousness. His left hand is not much more pleasant. In addition to his posh over hand right, lead uppercuts to the body and head have become signature. How can you route against a young man who enters the ring in “Bernard Hopkins-esque” fashion, covering his face with a bandana while sporting a black baseball cap? Mean.Ironically, the 24 year-old boxer who grew up in Hawaii Gardens, California is a well spoken family man and student (Cerritos Community College), who just so happens to make a living through licensed assault. Sporting a professional record of 19-0-0 with 12 KO’s, the heavy handed fighter who represented Mexico in the 2004 Olympic Games, has called California his home for the last 17 years. Training under the guidance of boxings elite trainers Floyd Mayweather, Sr., Nacho Beristain, and currently Joel Diaz, who also instructs current WBO Junior Welterweight Champion Timothy Bradley, Mares is on the beaten path to success.On May 22nd at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Abner Mares will be facing undefeated and newly crowned IBF Bantamweight title holder Yohnny Perez (20-0, 14KO’s) of Colombia. As the undercard bout to the fourth meeting between featherweight “giants” Israel Vasquez and Rafael Marquez, Mares vs. Perez has the possibility of being just as explosive. I am looking forward to Mares winning the biggest fight of his life to date, and solidifying his place at the top of the division with a unanimous decision or late round stoppage.The son of Guadalajara has the chance to become great. He has been quoted as saying that he wants to be the best in the sport—an icon. Championships dwell on the other side of focus and exhaustion, and it will take that kind of mind set and self-inflicted punishment, i.e. training, to take the keys. What is it about Guadalajara that it has produced some the world’s best writers, painters, poets, and perhaps prizefighters? Is it the brave blood of the Caxcan and Zacateco, or the determination of the Conquistador that makes its people great? I would guess it’s the blend of the two. And when harmoniously in concert, they can make music out of body shots that rival the percussion of street drummers in the “Pearl of the West”. Abner Mares, without a doubt, is on his way to becoming a great fighter. How great? That is up to him.
