By Miguel Rivera
The recent loss to Leo Santa Cruz in a vibrant battle at the Staples Center in Los Angeles has not left former world champion Abner Mares out of the mix.
Mares intends to prove that he's still part of the elite group of boxers at 126-pounds when he returns in the final quarter of the year.
Mares mentioned names such as Carl Frampton, Gary Russell, Oscar Valdez, Josh Warrington and even Joseph Diaz, as well as Santa Cruz, as possibilities for the future.
Mares is already planning to resume his physical activities, because he does not want to lose his rhythm.
"Obviously you feel sad because it was not the result we wanted, but they are fights where you do not really lose much. Surprisingly I've won over a lot of fans and we made it clear that we belong to this level, not because of the result. I'm not out of the elite, and I'm going to show that in my next fight," said to ESPN Deportes.
"I'm in a division where nobody turns away from anyone and that's good, because recently Golden Boy worked with Al Haymon, and so we can face Joseph Diaz, why not think about a fight with Oscar Valdez, Gary Russell, Carl Frampton, Josh Warrington, the third with Leo... there are possibilities and as of October I am ready for whatever," Mares said.
Abner, who remained with a record of 31-3-1 and 15 knockouts after losing again with Santa Cruz, considered that he could get a little more in the fight on the part of the judges.
"I could talk a whole day about the points in the fight, about the judges, the fact that they gave the unanimous victory when it was a very close fight. In the end I prefer that the people won and that I still receive very positive comments about my performance," said Mares.
"We took a break, deserved I think, but it's time to return to the gym with some light work so I don't lose my good form."
