By Miguel Rivera

Abner Mares wants to reclaim his WBC featherweight crown, and gets that opportunity on February 15th when he steps back in the ring with Jhonny Gonzalez at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Rather than train at home, Mares has opted to establish his training headquarters in Mexico City, specifically at the gym owned by World Boxing Council (WBC) Emeritus champion Ana Maria "Guerrera" Torres.

 

Mares (26-1-1, 14 KOs) has promised to get revenge on Gonzalez (55-8, 47 KOs), who surprisingly won by knockout in the first round on August 24th at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.

 

"The decision to come to Mexico was because the distractions in Los Angeles were getting bigger. There is nothing like training [in seclusion]. [When you train at home] you get distracted by friends, everyone knows where you train, and I have to stay focused. Training in Mexico will help a lot," Mares said. "It's a sacrifice, because I won't be with my family, but the end result will be the prize when I win the fight. I've returned to where it all began, Mexico City. I prepared here when I went to the Olympics, and now I've returned," Mares said.