Mares vs Morel Now For Vacant WBC Super Bantam Title

By Salvador Rodriguez

Mexico's Abner Mares (23-0-1, 13KOs) will go for his second divisional title on April 21 in El Paso, Texas, according to the Executive Secretary of the World Boxing Council, Mauricio Sulaiman. Mares will face former champion Eric Morel (46-2, 23KOs) of Puerto Rico, and now the vacant WBC super bantamweight title is on the line. Showtime will televise the fight.

The current champion, Toshioaki Nishioka of Japan, put in a request with the WBC to make him the "Champion Emeritus" while he figures out his next career move.

"Nishioka is the most important Japanese champion in recent memory," said Sulaiman. "After beating (Rafael) Marquez, he expected to fight (Nonito) Donaire. At the moment he doesn't want to take just any fight, so he asked to be named Champion Emeritus."

Salvador Rodriguez covers boxing in Mexico for The Record.