Abner Mares, a three-time world champion in different divisions, says he learned a lot from last year's fight against Jhonny Gonzalez, who simultaneously snatched his undefeated record and his World Boxing Council Crown with a first round TKO.

Mares will be part of the card held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 12th. He'll be facing Puerto Rican, Jonathan Oquendo. 

"A loss can help you more than a victory. Time outside the ring helped me a lot to heal from so many tough fights I had in the past."

"I'm anxious to get back, I cannot wait, it will be a great fight. I feel young again. That’s why I changed my team. Now I'm with coach Virgil Hunter and I feel great. He's helped me a lot with working on my defense."

Mares, who is 28 years old, has a professional record of 26-1-1, 14 KO's, while the Puerto Rican boxer has a record of 24-3, 16 KO's.

Meanwhile, Oquendo appreciated the opportunity to fight Mares and knows that if he wins, big fights would come in the future.

"It is an honor and a pleasure. I admire Abner, And I know that his career is not over yet after his last defeat. It will be a very good fight. I will prove I am ready to be the champion," stressed Oquendo.