By Jake Donovan
Abner Mares plans to revisit his past in order to progress in the future.
The former three-division champ has announced his intentions to bring former longtime trainer Clemente Medina back into the fold, as he looks to reclaim past glory. Mares made changes in his career following a shocking 1st round knockout loss to Jhonny Gonzalez last August, including seeking the corner advice of Virgil Hunter, best known for his work with undefeated super middleweight king Andre Ward.
The stint between Hunter and Mares lasted exactly one fight, boxing to a 10-round decision over Jonathan Oquendo this past July in Las Vegas. The bout was Mares’ lone piece of ring action since the Gonzalez loss, with the period of inactivity attributed to injuries, getting acclimated to Hunter’s style and also switching advisers as he is now one of well over 100 fighters under the Al Haymon banner.
While the moves helped him return to the win column, Mares (27-1-1, 14KOs) was far less entertaining than has been the case throughout his pro career to date. Winning the fight was the chief priority that night, but patience grew thin among the viewing audience who also had to sit through an awkward waltz in the evening’s main event, in which Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez scored a split decision win over Erislandy Lara.
Nothing is presently on Mares’ ledger in terms of a next fight, though chances are fans can expect the fighter of old once that moment comes.
“So I'm happy to announce that I'm back with my old trainer, the man that took me to (three) world (titles), Clemente Medina,” Mares announced on his verified Twitter feed Tuesday evening. “Mares is back!”
No reasons were given as to the switch back to Medina, or an official ring return. The 28-year old, who served on the 2004 Mexico Olympic boxing squad, is targeting November or December for his next fight, depending on when a TV date frees up.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox