By Rick Reeno
Sources with knowledge of the details have advised BoxingScene.com that an arbitration proceeding, in Los Angeles, is a likely scenario to sort out the managerial contract of former three division world champion Abner Mares.
The Mexican Olympian recently stated that his contract with longtime manager Frank Espinoza had expired and he planned to explore his managerial options. Since the start of the year, there have been heavy rumblings that Mares was making a move to adviser/manager Al Haymon.
Since last August's TKO defeat to Jhonny Gonzalez, Mares has turned down several fight offers and claimed injury to withdraw from a planned February rematch with Gonzalez. Those close to Espinoza believe that Mares was intentionally staying on the shelf in order to run out the clock on his managerial contract.
Because Mares claimed injury and rejected numerous fight offers, there is a heavy belief that Espinoza's managerial contract would in turn be extended (at least for several months) to make up the time for Mares' inactivity.
Mares is scheduled to face Jonathan Oquendo on the Canelo-Lara Showtime Pay-Per-View on July 12th in Las Vegas.
Espinoza gave a "no comment" when BoxingScene approached him with the information that his company, Espinoza Boxing Club, was already making moves to arbitrate the contract dispute with Mares.
