By Miguel Rivera

31-year-old Jonathan Oquendo (24-3, 16KOs) is very confident of handing former three division champion Abner Mares (26-1-1, 14KOs) his second consecutive defeat. Mares has been inactive since last August's first round TKO loss at the hands of Jhonny Gonzalez, the current featherweight champion of the World Boxing Council (WBC). The fight is going to take place on July 12th as part of the Saul Alvarez vs. Erislandy Lara Showtime Pay-Per-View from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

"Fighting against Mares is an opportunity that any boxer would like and I will take full advantage. This fight will define my career, my life. It will not be for a world title, but for me it's like it is," said Oquendo to Carlos Gonzalez.

"Mares has a big name and has been a tremendous fighter. I'm prepared to win. I've had three defeats in my career, Mares has had one - but I know that this time [the fight] will be in my favor. After my last fight [in March], I kept training because I knew good things were coming. I do not expect it to be Mares, but he said yes. It is a tremendous opportunity in the future to be a great champion."