By Miguel Rivera

To avoid a controversial decision going against him, triple world champion Fernando 'Kochul' Montiel said that he will knock out Abner Mares on March 12 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut.

Montiel (54-5-2, 39KOs) realizes that he's bring brought in as a name opponent to fatten up the record of Mares, but he doesn't plan to make things easy. He's looking to use Mares' name as a victory launch to a world title opportunity.

Mares is also looking to get back in the win column, after losing his last fight by way of a twelve round decision to hometown rival Leo Santa Cruz. Both Mares and Montiel are looking to get Santa Cruz in the ring. The champion defends his WBA featherweight title on February 27th against Kiko Martinez in Los Angeles.

This will be the first fight for Mares (29-2-1, 15KOs) with new head trainer Robert Garcia. Montiel has no concerns over the addition of Garcia to Mares' corner.

"I always prepare myself to go out and fight for a strong twelve rounds, but definitely in this fight I'm ready to finish it by knockout, either in the first round or the last. I know that the judges do their job, but I want to make things easier," Montiel told ESPN Deportes. "Robert is a good coach, Abner is a great fighter, but Robert has nothing to do with the actual fight. He will not go up in the ring to fight against me."

"I'm a fighter, I'm not single style. I can box, I can use my legs, I can come forward. It's a fight at the highest level. He has faced countless fighters at the amateur and professional levels, but every fighter is different. I'm very different from what he has faced. My motivation is very high for this fight, and for me it makes for a good preparation. I am ready for a hard work load in camp. I work a lot in the gym. I feel very comfortable with this fight."