By Luis Sandoval
Abner Mares looks like he will finally be making his return to the ring as he is slated to fight on June 21st at the StubHub Center in Carson, CA. While Mares will be going back to the same venue where he suffered his first professional defeat, one thing that will be different is his corner as he is now training under the tutelage of Virgil Hunter.
Mares is one of many fighters who have headed to Oakland, CA to train with Hunter after suffering a loss or trying to get their careers on track. Most notably Amir Khan, Andre Berto and Alfredo Angulo are some of the names Hunter has added to his roster within the past year.
Mares has parted ways with now former trainer Clemente Medina, who also previously trained Alfredo Angulo, and says the move in trainers was due to looking for change and getting better as a fighter.
“Yes, I’ll start training with Virgil Hunter. I have already. The decision on that was based on I got to change my style, I got to learn new things. I’m 28 years old man so you just keep learning. I’m at that stage where I can learn a lot more and add to my arsenal and just continue to look better” Mares would tell BoxingScene.
A change in trainers after a loss is nothing new and with Mares suffering a shocking first round knockout loss to Jhonny Gonzalez last August, it appears he felt changes were needed in his corner.
Changing of a trainer is an important decision and Mares was asked why he chose Hunter and if there were any other trainers he was considering working with.
“You know what, it was [just] him and it’s the fact that he’s a motivator and more than that, he’s a great teacher. He’s a great teacher. That’s the word, teacher. He teaches you the basics. He teaches you what you’re supposed to do. He doesn’t just have you sit in the ring, hit the mitts and do this. No, he explains why you’re throwing those punches and again, it’s a great thing. I’m learning a lot from him. He’s a great coach and a great person” said Mares.
Mares’ return to the ring was supposed to be in April against Jhonny Gonzalez in a rematch but due to a rib injury the fight was postponed. No official word on Mares’ opponent for June 21st.
You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter & Instagram @Truewest007.
