Abner Mares feels it’s not the end of Nonito Donaire’s career

Three-division world champ Abner Mares speaking from Las Vegas (Photo: Chris Robinson)

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By Chris Robinson

This weekend, inside of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, former three-division world champion Abner Mares (27-1-1, 14 KO’s) will look to keep his momentum going when he faces off with Jose Hernandez (25-4, 15 KO’s)  in a Showtime-televised attraction.

Mares is still looked at as one of the game’s top young talents and his spirits seem fully restored following his shocking first round knockout loss to Jhonny Gonzalez in August of last year.

The Hernandez fight may not represent the kind of high-profile challenge that fans are craving from Mares, but with so much talent lurking around the featherweight class, those bouts are just around the corner.

There once was talk of Mares tangling with Fil-Am star Nonito Donaire, as it was at a time one of the hottest matchups to make in the game.

Donaire recently suffered a crushing sixth round knockout loss to Nicholas Walters, a fight that Mares was able to take in.

“I just thought it was a tough fight for Nonito, no doubt,” Mares says of Walters’ victory on Oct. 18 in Carson, Calif.

“I don’t think he’s done,” Mares added. “He took a lot of time off then he took that hard, tough fight agaisnt Walters.”

For Mares, it’s more about respecting the WBA champion from Jamaica then questioning Donaire’s standing in the game.

“Walters is no pushoever,” said Mares. “He’s the biggest guy in the featherweight division, really. I don’t know how he does it, to make [weight]. I think Nonito hurt him in one round. Good fighters, good division to be in.”

*** Check out the FULL interview with Abner Mares below…


Chris Robinson can be reached at CRobinson@hustleboss.com

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