By Miguel Rivera
Ever since last year's first round TKO defeat to Jhonny Gonzalez, former three division world champion Abner Mares (27-1-1, 14KOs) has been making changes within his team. He parted ways with longtime manager Frank Espinoza and retained Al Haymon in his place. Earlier this year he secured the services of Oakland trainer Virgil Hunter, who is best known for working with super middleweight champion Andre Ward.
But after a single fight together, Mares decided to part ways with Hunter and went back to his former trainer Clemente Medina of Los Angeles. Mares says there wasn't anything personal with Hunter. The boxer was more comfortable with training close to home with a trainer who was more familiar with his style of fighting.
"The reason I have made this decision was basically for comfort. I have always been open to change, learning," Mares told ESPN Deportes. "I needed to feel comfortable with what I'm doing and what's better [for me is to go] back to Clemente Medina, a coach who knows us perfectly."
"At the end of the day I feel that is the right decision is comfort. I felt very comfortable with Clemente, at home, and I feel comfortable with the style I had. I am one of the people who have been open to change. I've been with five coaches I've got the best of everyone, with Hunter I learned things and I will put that to work, but I feel very comfortable with my previous coach and that will give me a bonus when I return."
