By William Trillo
While discussing his upcoming battle with WBA Super Featherweight champ Gervonta Davis (20-0, 19 KO’s) Abner Mares (31-3-1, 15 KO’s) said, “I would like to make this statement: Gervonta Davis has been saying he sees this fight as a Floyd Mayweather vs. Aruro Gatti type of fight. He says this is when Mayweather graduated on that night by beating Gatti. He did get one thing right, I do have the Gatti heart , but he is no Floyd Mayweather, that’s all I have to say!
Not a bad way to fuel the fire for the upcoming February 9th grudge battle that will take place in Carson CA. Mares exudes the type of confidence that comes from a seasoned veteran who has held multiple world titles and fought the best out there. Make no mistake about it; this is a fight Mares feels he can use to prove the naysayers wrong.
When asked how he felt when he heard the fight was a go Mares stated, “Honestly I wasn’t surprised or shocked and the reason was simple…I asked for this fight, I was pushing for it, so when I got the call saying I got what I wanted I said “OK, good”. This is a fight where I am going to do a lot, meaning not just fight but provoke, and really enjoy myself.”
As to why Mares was adamant about this fight and was pressing to make it happen he said, “It was a challenge that I set for myself as an individual and an athlete. It’s a risky fight which will be so much more to savor. I look at it as a challenge. It’s a very big fight that I am going to get so much credit for taking. This is the kind of fight that I need to challenge myself with. It’s the kind of fight that will leave a legacy for my name. I could have taken an easier fight but right now those fights won’t present the type of challenge I am looking for at this stage of my career. I am extremely excited to have this fight in front of me.”
I felt it was only right to remind Mares that as far as his legacy goes that with fights with the likes of Yhonny Perez, Vic Darchinyan, Joseph Agbeko (twice) Daniel Ponce De Leon, just to name a few, that his legacy as a top performer was already sealed. Mares quipped, “Thank you that means a lot to me. Maybe it’s because I can do more as an athlete. I need to prove to myself and to the world what I am capable of doing. I still have only shown some of my boxing abilities and it’s a huge motivation for me and my coach to go out there and surprise the world by showing I can beat a faster younger fighter, because I have the tools. Some of my fights have not worked because of style matchups. This fight might give me some problems at the beginning but at the end of the day I will figure this guy out.”
I asked Mares if maybe Davis was buying into the hype and may be in for a surprise when he meets him in the ring. “Most definitely, said Mares, “ Once he steps into that ring he will see there is no time to play and that he is not in there with some C-level fighter, he will realize that real quick. Honestly, I love the fact he has the big hype and all the people around him right now claiming he is the next big star. I like that! It will be much more satisfying for me to show him that it’s going to take a lot more than quick hands to beat me. I am all about heart and hard work and I have been able to show that in all my fights.”
The fight will be held in Abner’s back yard and he understands the place will be filled with his fans to cheer him on that night. Mares noted “The building has sold out and they are adding more seats to the arena. I am just really happy to be performing amongst my people and my fans. And you know me, I always give a show. This will be another night that I am going to be able to please the crowd and give them great memories to talk about for years to come. I am that type of fighter that you will always remember as an exciting fighter.”
It’s true Mares has given us spectacular nights in both victory and defeat. His battle with Gervonta next month should prove to be another barnburner. And lest we forget, according to Mares he has the heart of “Thunder” Gatti and Davis is no “Pretty Boy Floyd”.
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