Mares plan is to make Moreno fight
 By John J. Raspanti, Doghouse Boxing (Nov 8, 2012) Photo © Gene Blevins - Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions
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As engaging as he is outside the ring, WBC super bantamweight champion Abner Mares can be down right nasty inside it.
Mares
plans on displaying his dark side when he faces WBA bantamweight
champion Anselmo Moreno November 10 at The Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif.
The Mares (24-0, 13 KOs) vs. Moreno (33-1, 12 KOs) bout is the main event of Showtime televised card. (10
p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). The full night of boxing also
features exciting youngster Leo Santa Cruz and light heavyweight Nathan
Cleverly, defending their respective titles.
Mares, 26, is well aware of how difficult it can be to fight Moreno, a fleet-footed southpaw.
"I
think this could be a more mentally exhausting fight than a physically
exhausting one for me,” Mares said during a public workout a few days
ago. “I know I have to be mentally sharp. With Moreno's style, if you
miss, you cannot become frustrated.
“You have to keep working and that is one of the biggest keys for me," he added.
Moreno,
27, has defended his bantamweight title ten times. His safety-first
style rarely inspires. He did impress last April when he stopped David
De La Mora in the ninth round.
"My style is what it is,” said Moreno.
“I’m an elusive fighter, the kind of fighter that hits and doesn't get
hit. My style is one that makes you watch at all times.”
Moreno is a seasoned professional. He began fighting at 16. He knows what it takes to win.
"I've fought the same way since I was younger,” Moreno said. “I learned that lesson when I was fighting in the streets when you need to stay smart all the time and not just brawl."
On
the other hand, Mares is an action fighter. His victories over Vic
Darhinyan and Joseph Agebko were controversial. Mares fought Agebeko in a
rematch last December and won handily, showing a discipline that many
had never seen.
“You
can expect a more mature, focused, and ready Abner than you ever have
seen before,” said the smiling Mares. “I'm ready to fight. I've been
through the most aggressive, best training camp ever.”
Mares, from nearby Hawaiian Gardens, feels he’ll be ready for whatever Moreno brings on November 10.
"This
will be a very good fight, a very tough one that will bring out the
best in me and the best in both of us,” Mares said. “This is the kind of
fight the fans want, a pretty even fight you could say, between two
world champions going at it from the opening bell.”
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