Golden Boy Offers $3 million to Top Rank to make Donaire – Mares

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com Golden Boy Promotions offered Top Rank a $3 million package in order to make a Super Bantamweight unification bout between Nonito Donaire and Abner Mares.

“The offer is now in writing and was sent (Friday) afternoon,” said Richard Schaefer.

“There’s a signature line for Donaire and one for (Top Rank chairman Bob) Arum. I signed already and Mares is in, too. It’s $3 million for their side to do whatever they want with. It’s probably a world-record amount of money for a man in that (122-pound) weight class.”

“We are not asking for any options, not asking for anything besides this fight,” Schaefer said, adding that there is no rematch clause language. “We will treat Top Rank with respect. They can hang their banner up at the press conferences and the fight, we’ll have the fight be announced ‘in association with Top Rank,’ we’ll give them library rights to the fight. All that stuff. No catch weights, no bull—-. This is a serious offer. I am anxious to know what kind of excuses they will come up with now.”

“There’s nothing more I can do to make this fight than to make that kind of serious offer,” Schaefer said.

“I’m going to go where I can make the most money,” Schaefer said. “I believe this is a big fight and there’s substantial revenues involved. I value the fight differently than Arum. I might be wrong. But I am willing to take the risk.”

“They offered us a million dollars for Abner, (Mares manager Frank)Espinoza and me. It was a joke,” Schaefer said. “Top Rank obviously values the fight differently than I do.”

“I don’t know what the catch is,” Schaefer said. “I’m anxious to know about their excuses for not doing the fight. Like Bob always says, maybe the fight needs to marinate a bit longer. I’m sure they will come up with something. If Arum and Donaire go and do another fight, it means they don’t want the fight because they can’t make the money in any other fight than what they can make with this offer. No strings attached.

“I swear on my kids there is no catch here. This is as straight forward as can be. Bob can even bring his Top Rank banner to the fight. I don’t care. I just want to make the fight.

“This is fair as can be. Arum can (question) me all he wants and this and that, but it does not change the fact that there is a great deal here for him and his fighter on the table. At the end of the day, he doesn’t want his fighters to fight our fighters.”

“I haven’t seen anything yet, so how can I say if it sounds OK if I haven’t seen it yet,” said Donaire manager Cameron Dunkin. “But I have never had a problem with Nonito fighting Abner Mares. It’s a great fight. Two great fighters. It’s a big fight. Do I like my guy (to win)? Of course, I like my guy. Does my guy win? Absolutely. But they are two solid names and this is a big fight.”

“I’ll know more when I see an offer from Top Rank and get their take on it,” Dunkin said. “Is (the offer) true and straight forward? We’ll find out.”

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS GIVES THE GIFT OF CLASSIC FIGHTS WITH FOUR MARATHONS OF LEGENDARY FIGHTS TO AIR ON FOX DEPORTES ON DECEMBER 22, 25, 29 & JANUARY 5

LOS ANGELES, December 21 – This holiday season, get ready for a gift all boxing fans will love, as Golden Boy Promotions teams up with FOX Deportes to re-air classic fights for four days and nights of epic fights featuring current and future Hall of Famers, world champions and rising stars engaging in some of the most pivotal bouts of their careers.

Included in these marathons are “The Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd “Money” Mayweather, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, Julio “JC” Cesar Chavez, Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, Erik “El Terrible” Morales, Marco Antonio “Baby Faced Assasin” Barrera, Miguel Cotto, Sugar Shane Mosley, Canelo Alvarez, Abner Mares, Ricky “Hitman” Hatton and Danny “Swift” Garcia, just to name a few.

The action begins this Saturday, December 22 at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT with the following lineup:

Oscar De La Hoya vs. Pernell Whitaker – 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT

Manny Pacquiao vs. Marco Antonio Barrera I – 4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT

Oscar De La Hoya vs. Shane Mosley I – 5:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. PT

Erik Morales vs. Pablo Cesar Cano – 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT

Israel Vazquez vs. Rafael Marquez III – 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT

Miguel Cotto vs. Shane Mosley – 8:00 p.m.ET/5:00 p.m. PT

Floyd Mayweather vs. Victor Ortiz – 9:00 p.m.ET/6:00 p.m. PT

Oscar De La Hoya vs. Felix Trinidad – 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT

The next day of classics begins on Tuesday, December 25 at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT with 10 more bouts:

Oscar De La Hoya vs. Ike Quartey – 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT

Shane Mosley vs. Ricardo Mayorga – 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT

Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Oscar De La Hoya – 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT

Floyd Mayweather vs. Ricky Hatton – 4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT

Oscar De La Hoya vs. Fernando Vargas – 5:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. PT

Israel Vazquez vs. Rafael Marquez II – 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT

Oscar De La Hoya vs. Felix Trinidad – 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT

Amir Khan vs. Marcos Maidana – 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT

Canelo Alvarez vs. Ryan Rhodes – 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT

Canelo Alvarez vs. Mathew Hatton – 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT

On December 29, it’s a Saturday night doubleheader featuring:

Abner Mares vs. Vic Darchinyan – 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT

Danny Garcia vs. Nate Campbell – 11:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT

Finally, on Saturday, January 5, it’s another marathon of elite level boxing action with the following bouts:

Rigoberto Alvarez vs. Austin Trout – 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT

Lamont Peterson vs. Victor Ortiz – 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT

Amir Khan vs. Paulie Malignaggi – 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT

Floyd Mayweather vs. Shane Mosley -9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT

Oscar De La Hoya vs. Felix Trinidad – 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT

For more information on Golden Boy Promotions, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxingor visit us on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page. For more information on FOX Deportes visit www.FOXDeportes.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FOXDeportes or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes.

The Mares and Garcia composition

Taken in composite, Mexican Abner Mares and American Mikey Garcia make a quite compelling fighter, and despite competing networks and the promoters that milk and direct them, Saturday brought a chance to see the men in a composite – not to compare them, though that day might yet come, and neither to see how they complement each other, but rather to see how, together, as the important fighters on their respective cards, Mares as main on Showtime and Garcia as co-main on HBO, they made Saturday an enjoyment.

Garcia, who found a late replacement for Mexican Orlando Salido in Argentine Jonathan Barros, who was overmatched then not overmatched then, yes, overmatched, enjoys a credibility advantage because of who promotes him, and that might as well be set forth early: Top Rank is good at developing fighters, as fighters then attractions, as any promotional company in boxing history. Golden Boy Promotions is not, or certainly not yet.

Top Rank makes a high virtue of never putting a fighter in a match for which he is unprepared; when a Top Rank project like Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. or Juan Manuel Lopez loses, it is not because Top Rank hurried him but rather Top Rank, or more specifically Bruce Trampler, our sport’s finest noncombatant practitioner, believes nothing more can be done to prepare him for what elite opponents remain. Once a fighter has proved himself fully developed, Top Rank’s bent changes from research and development to sales; while prospect Alex Saucedo’s next opponent is being chosen right now to determine and maximize Saucedo’s potential as a prizefighter, regardless of what revenue he brings in 2013, Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent was chosen to maximize Top Rank’s earnings. An excellent model, that.

Golden Boy is all sales all the time. Projects appear chosen for their bilingualism and beauty – the assets responsible for Oscar De La Hoya’s ascent, his company believes – or other qualities that strike scouts as exceedingly marketable. Golden Boy’s is not a model sustainable as Top Rank’s because it involves either overpaying for proven commodities or investing in developmental ventures that go nowhere for their want of selection criteria and strategy. Abner Mares is the exception.

Saturday at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Mares made another brutal and entertaining match against another well-regarded opponent, a Panamanian named Anselmo Moreno, who, in aficionados’ imaginations at least, had the exact tools to disarm him. Mares can be disarmed but not dissuaded, so long as an opponent allows him to move recklessly, and therefore wreckingly, forward. He is a consummate Mexican prizefighter in this sense, all tenacity and hooks to the body with an overhand right he hurls head-down, though he’s somewhat less Mexican in his devotion to fouling energetically till the referee stops him. A traditional Mexican code says a prizefighter solely fouls an opponent he is not man enough to defeat fairly – and that ethic says it is better to lose honorably to a better man, in a fight to unconsciousness or worse, than foul one’s way to a different outcome.

Mares’ methods, in this sense, seek refuge in American clichés: “winning is everything”, “if you’re not cheating you’re not trying”, “bend the rules to their breaking point”. Mares charges to set his shoulders beneath your elbows, a position in which he has you handcuffed and is free to whale away, and if you retaliate by setting yourself on the back of his neck, to push his lowered head a little lower, he blasts you in the balls then comes up shrugging. He does not have-to throw that punch, no, but then you didn’t have to lean on his neck, and he knows the worst that cup shot will bring is a double warning, offsetting fouls, and whereas he had every choice to throw that punch or not, you had little choice to do what you did. You’ll do it again, reflexively, a few more times, and if the referee does not penalize you, Mares’ll put knuckles where your cherries grow in the meantime.

Mares gets, and quite possibly deserves, the benefit of officiating doubts because he is trying to make a fight at every moment of every match, to a point of dropping his shiny purple gloves and loping after an opponent, as he did in the 12th round Saturday. Mikey Garcia would not do that. He is more polished than Mares, more apt to throw the perfect punch with perfect leverage at the perfect moment. Garcia is fantastic but also imperfect, as we got reminded Saturday.

That Garcia is hittable is not truly worrisome; while there was nothing edifying about how he turned away from Barros after the Argentine’s left hook snapped his chin in round 7, aficionados appropriately trust if Garcia hadn’t a chin, his promoter would have discovered that 15 fights ago. It’s the technical flaws that bring concern with Garcia, specifically an urge to parry, with his right hand, jabs to the body. That is a major no-no and sets one to imagining what’ll happen the first time Orlando Salido, or worse, Yuriorkis Gamboa, feints that jab, watches Garcia’s right hand drop, and remortgages his home on a left hook to Garcia’s right chin. Salido will answer that question graciously, and perhaps gratuitously, in Garcia’s next fight in January, while being more durable before Garcia’s own left hook than Barros was.

Abner Mares wants his next opponent to be Top Rank’s Nonito Donaire, and it was refreshingly uncouth the way Mares demanded that Saturday. Donaire’s December opponent, Mexican Jorge Arce, was not, in his prime six years ago, good as Mares is right now, and one can rightfully assume if Donaire-Mares never happens it is because Top Rank did not think Donaire was ready, or did believe there was much more and easier money elsewhere.

Bart Barry can be reached at bart.barrys.email (at) gmail.com.

Mares scores unanimous decision and asks for Donaire all over again

LOS ANGELES – It was one fight full of many styles. From slick to awkward and lots of good, bad and unlikely in between, there was not much that Abner Mares and Anselmo Moreno didn’t try.

In the end, however, Mares found the best fit.

Mares did so with the smarts and patience of a man dangerous and clever enough to pick a lock. The combination to unlocking Moreno was simple enough, although elusive long enough to even rattle Mares. But Mares recovered and remembered what he had practiced and how the twelve rounds had started.

Body shots and the right hand were always the key. One after the other Saturday night added up to Mares’ unanimous decision over Moreno for the World Boxing Council’s super-bantamweight title at Staples Center. The judge’s scores were 116-110 on two cards and an out-of-whack 120-106 on a third.

“There was a moment when I Iost my composure in the middle rounds,’’ Mares ( 25-0-1, 13 KOs) said.

His corner’s advice and an ability to think through adversity, however, saved him from a loss that would have eroded his hopes of battle for supremacy of the 122-pound division.

“I want to fight Nonito Donaire,’’ said Mares, a Golden Boy fighter who is caught in limbo in the feud between his promoter and Top Rank, Donaire’s representative.

Only a Golden Boy-Top Rank alliance can make that happen. World peace might happen before then. But the fearless Mares will continue to lobby for what he wants and continues to earn. Against Moreno (33-1-1, 12 KOs), he encountered an elusive Panamanian who moved one, then another and always out of range. But Mares pursued, often running straight at Moreno. The early body punches were designed to slow him down. For a while, they did. But Moreno began to stand his ground and exchange with Mares. That was a surprise.

But in the fifth, Moreno paid for the move. Mares knocked him with a beautiful.

“It’s the first time anybody has ever knocked him down,’’ Mares said. “I couldn’t let him get comfortable with his style, because he’s too good at it.

“I made it my fight.’’

The card also included Los Angeles bantamweight Leo Santa Cruz (22-0-1, 13 KOs) in an impressive ninth round knockout of Victor Zaleta (20-3-1, 10 KOs) for the International Boxing Federation’s 188-pound title. Santa Cruz looms as potential Mares’ opponent. He’s a Golden Boy fighter. Give the current state of the game, no other explanation is necessary But don’t tell that to Mares.

“I want Nonito Donaire,’’ Mares said once, twice, three times. “Santa Cruz is a good fighter. But I want to fight the best.’’

Enough said.

Free and Still Powerful: Angulo back with quick KO
They took away his freedom, but none of his power.

It took Alfredo Angulo less than a minute to reclaim a future that had been in doubt throughout a seven-month stretch in a California detention center for a reported immigration violation. Fifty-six seconds after the opening bell, Angulo (21-2, 18 KOs) unleashed a sweeping left hand that knocked out Raul Casarez (19-3, 9 KOs) while exorcising long hours of waiting, wondering and never knowing.

Angulo knows now.

“Perro is back,’’ said Angulo, a Mexican junior-middleweight nicknamed Dog.

Exactly when wasn’t certain Saturday night.

“I could fight again in 20 minutes,’’ said the bearded Angulo, whose biggest victory was in just knowing that there would be a chance at another one.

Cleverly stays in Hopkins hunt with TKO win
Talk about a Nathan Cleverly-Bernard Hopkins fight only figures to get a lot louder after his eight-round TKO of Shawn Hawk.

Cleverly (25-0, 11 KOs), a Welshmen and the World Boxing Organization’s light-heavyweight champion, dropped Hawk (22-3-1, 16 KOs) twice in the seventh round and again in the eighth. Cleverly was stronger than Hawk. More important, Cleverly’s work rate simply overwhelmed the fighter from Sioux Falls, Iowa. That’s not much of a surprise. Cleverly’s trainer is Enzo Calzaghe, who trained son Joe to beat Hopkins.

Cleverly is one of three-to-four possibilities for Hopkins in a bout projected for March 9 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The UK also has been mentioned.

On The Undercard
The Best: Garden City, Kan., has given keys to the city to Brandon Rios and Victor Ortiz. City fathers might need to make a third one. Junior-welterweight Antonio Orozco is beginning to look like the third world-class fighter to emerge from an unlikely boxing town in southwest Kansas.

Orozco (16-0, 12 KOs), born in Mexico and raised in Garden City, was brilliant in scoring a sixth-round stoppage of Danny Escobar (8-2, 5 KOs) of Riverside, Calif. Orozco stunned Escobar midway through the sixth, then swarmed him and dropped him along the ropes at 2:06 of the round. Escobar had to be helped off the canvas and onto a stool before he could leave the ring.

The Rest: Ohio middleweight Chris Pearson (6-0, 5 KOs) won a TKO, but there was nothing technical about his crushing stoppage of Jeremy Marts (8-13, 6 KOs) of Iowa at 44 seconds of the first round; welterweight Alonso Loeza (3-7-1, 3 KOs) of Gilroy, Calif., scored a fourth-round TKO of Zachary Wohlman (5-0-1, 1 KO) of Hollywood, Calif.; Texas bantamweight Isaac Torres (3-0, 2 KOs) won a majority decision over David Reyes (2-3) of Montebello, Calif.; and Cincinnati junior-welter Robert Easter (1-0, 1 KO) enjoyed a knockout debut with a second-round stoppage of Eddie Corona (0-2) of Omaha.

ABNER MARES vs. ANSELMO MORENO LEO SANTA CRUZ vs. VICTOR ZALETA ALFREDO ANGULO vs. RAUL CASAREZ FINAL WEIGHTS

ABNER MARES – 121.8 Pounds
ANSELMO MORENO – 120.8 Pounds

LEO SANTA CRUZ – 117.6 Pounds

VICTOR ZALETA – 117 Pounds

ALFREDO ANGULO – 154 Pounds

RAUL CASAREZ – 153.8 Pounds

SHOWTIME EXTREME – 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast)

NATHAN CLEVERLY – 174.4 Pounds

SHAWN HAWK – 173.8 Pounds

ANTONIO OROZCO – 141 Pounds

DANNY ESCOBAR – 141.4 Pounds

FACTS:

Mares vs. Moreno, a 12-round battle for Mares’ WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship taking place on November 10 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the co-featured attractions, Los Angeles’ own Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz puts his IBF Bantamweight World Championship on the line against Victor “Nene” Zaleta and hard-hitting junior middleweight Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo of Los Angeles by way of Mexicali, Mexico makes his highly anticipated return against Raul Casarez in a 12-round bout. The SHOWTIME® CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000 and at the STAPLES Center Box Office.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.staplescenter.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/AbnerMares00, www.twitter.com/ChemitoMoreno, www.twitter.com/ElPerro82, www.twitter.com/STAPLESCenterLA, www.twitter.com/SHOsports, follow the conversation using #MaresMoreno or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

Elusive tasks: Mares faces Moreno amid talk about Donaire

A sure sign of Abner Mares’ emerging stardom is a mixed blessing. Mares is one of those fighters mentioned in a bout that hasn’t happened because of the tired feud between Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank.

For the Golden Boy-promoted Mares, that means talk about Top Rank’s Nonito Donaire. On a growing list, Mares-Donaire is there, another never-never possibility, right behind Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. Donaire-Mares is one of those fights everybody wants to see, but few believe they ever will because of the Golden Boy-Top Rank stand-off.

For Mares, the Donaire speculation also looms as a potential distraction for what might his toughest task to date Saturday night in a Showtime-televised super-bantamweight bout at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Both made weight Friday, also at Staples. Mares was at 121.8 pounds. Moreno, fighting for the first time in the 122-pound division, was a pound lighter, at 120.8.

Mares (24-0-1, 13 KOs) promises he won’t be distracted. Against the slick Moreno (33-1-1, 12 KOs), he can’t be.

Moreno, of Panama City, has been compared to Pernell Whitaker. He’s hard to beat, because he’s hard to hit. A distraction of any kind could make it more difficult for Mares to keep a vigilant eye on an elusive target that will never be in front of him for long.

“Yeah, without a doubt, it’s frustrating,’’ Mares said when asked about Donaire during a conference call. “Again, I know my time will come. I’ve just got be patient. I have to keep pushing. We’ll see after this.’’

Only a loss could quiet the talk about a fight that, for now, is waged only in the public imagination. Mares, who grew up in Southern California and is Golden Boy’s first fighter to win a major title, understands the stakes.

“He’s really technical,’’ Mares said of Moreno. “But he hasn’t fought any one like me. Okay, he hasn’t fought any one like I’m going to be. I’m going to go in and figure him out. That’s what this beautiful sport is all about – figuring out your opponent. You’re going to see a different Abner, as you always do.”

Mares’ versatility includes an innate ability to adjust on the fly. He’ll probably have to against Moreno, who has no illusions about the challenge he faces in Mares’ hometown.

“This is going to be a very, very tough fight for me,’’ Moreno said. “I understand that.’’

On the undercard
· International Boxing Federation bantamweight champ Leo Santa Cruz weighed in at 117.8 pounds, just under the 188-pound limit. Opponent Victor Zaleta was at 117.

· In his first formal weigh-in since a seven-month detention for an immigration violation, Mexican junior-middleweight Alfredo Angulo was at the mandatory 154 pounds. Opponent Raul Casarez was at 153.8.

STAR THOROUGHBRED RACING JOCKEY MIKE SMITH TO BE HONORED AT SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT BETWEEN ABNER MARES AND ANSELMO MORENO TOMORROW, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10 AT STAPLES CENTER

LOS ANGELES, November 9 – The hottest jockey in thoroughbred racing, Mike Smith, will be honored this Saturday night when he attends the super bantamweight world championship fight between WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Abner Mares and WBA Bantamweight Super Champion Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

An inductee into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and two-time Eclipse Award winner, the 47-year-old Smith stands alone as the jockey with the most winning races in Breeders’ Cup history with 17. He scored two victories last Friday and Saturday at Santa Anita in the running of horseracing’s biggest two-day event to earn the record, also winning the Bill Shoemaker Award as the most outstanding jockey in the 29th annual Breeders’ Cup World Championships. In 2002 the Roswell, New Mexico native who now resides in Southern California was given the prestigious George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award that honors the rider whose career and personal conduct exemplifies the very best example of participants in the sport of thoroughbred racing.

“I am excited to be honored during this great night of boxing,” said Smith, who will sit ringside at STAPLES Center on Saturday night. “I am a big fan of the smaller guys so it will be exciting to see the super bantamweight and bantamweight fighters giving it their all. I can relate to their desires to be great at what they do.”

“It will be an honor to have Mike Smith ringside with us on Saturday night.” said Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya. “He is an unbelievable sportsman, a great champion of thoroughbred racing and does a tremendous amount for the Southern California community.”

ABNER MARES vs. ANSELMO MORENO SANTA CRUZ vs. ZALETA ANGULO vs. CASAREZ FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FROM STAPLES CENTER IN LOS ANGELES

LOS ANGELES (Nov. 7, 2012) – All six fighters squaring off in Saturday’s tripleheader at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles participated in a final press conference on Wednesday to discuss the highly anticipated SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast, live at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

In a battle of world champions, Abner Mares (24-0-1, 13 KO’s), of Hawaiian Gardens, Calif., will risk his WBC Super Bantamweight World Title against WBA Bantamweight Super World Champion Anselmo Moreno (33-1-1, 12 KO’s), of Panama City, Panama, in the main event. Unbeaten IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz (21-0-1, 12 KO’s), of Los Angeles, will defend against Victor Zaleta (20-2-1, 10 KO’s), of El Paso, Texas, in the co-feature, while hard-hitting junior middleweight contender Alfred Angulo (20-1, 17 KOs), of Los Angeles by way of Mexicali, Mexico, and the upset-minded junior middleweight contender Raul Casarez (19-2, 9 KO’s), of Edinburg, Texas, will clash in the telecast’s opening match.

Also featured as part of the SHOWTIME Extreme broadcast, live at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), will be WBO Light Heavyweight World Champion Nathan Cleverly (24-0, 11 KO’s), of Cfen Fforest, Wales, defending his title against light heavyweight contender Shawn Hawk (22-2-1, 16 KO’s), of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. PT and the first fight begins at 2:35 p.m.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA:

“We don’t just want to put on a main event; we want to stack our cards from top to bottom. That’s what boxing should be and that’s what boxing is all about. We have great prospects and world champions fighting together on one night.

“Moreno is stepping up to fight the best to be the best in the 122 pound division. That just shows you what type of fighter Moreno is.

“One thing we’re most proud of at Golden Boy is that Abner is the first world champion that we’ve brought up from the beginning. Fans have the opportunity to see him fight here in his home. Fans love him for his fan-friendly style. People keep saying, it’s tough fight – well, it’s a fight. The best fighting the best. That’s what you’ll see Saturday night.”

ABNER MARES:

“I’m ready for Saturday. I’m ready to give you guys another great fight. My team has done a tremendous job with me.

“SHOWTIME has really gotten my name out there. Now fans know I come to fight. I leave everything in the ring and they now know I don’t leave the ring without giving them everything they paid for.

“I came to this country when I was seven years old and to see me fighting at STAPLES throws me off a bit. I will not disappoint on November 10th. I’ll give you guys the fight of the year.”

ANSELMO MORENO:

“I’m in perfect condition for Saturday. I’m very happy that they gave me this great opportunity to fight Mares. The only thing we’re waiting for is the weigh-in and then its fight night. He’s tough and I need to stay smart and stick to my game plan.”

LEO STANTA CRUZ:

“I trained really hard. I dedicate this fight to my fans and the people of Mexico. Victor is strong, he comes forward like me, so it will be a great fight. The better man will win on Saturday night. I’m excited to fight here in Los Angeles in front of my hometown fans. I can’t wait to get in there on Saturday night.”

VICTOR ZALETA:

“This is my first fight here and I’m excited about the opportunity. Hopefully, it will not be my last time here. I’m ready to face Leo Santa Cruz on Saturday. He’s a really good fighter and I know I need to bring my best to beat him.”

ALFREDO ANGULO:

“I’m back in my town and it feels great. I’ve worked hard for this and I’m ready to get back in the ring. This is going to be a really good fight for the fans. I’m just grateful to get this opportunity after everything I’ve been through.”

RAUL CASAREZ:

“I’m excited, I’m grateful for the opportunity. I trained really hard with my team to make the most of this night. Angulo is a great fighter and I know he’ll be ready after his long layoff. But I’m focused and need to do my job in the ring.”

NATHAN CLEVERLY:

“This is a great opportunity to come to the United States and showcase my talent. I’m looking to make a statement and take my career to the next level. I trained at Wild Card Gym and it’s been a great experience. I’m looking forward to showing my exciting style and making the most of this.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA:

“If you’ve been watching SHOWTIME recently, you’ve seen an incredible run of dramatic, exciting fights. In just the last couple of months we’ve had some huge events. On September 15th, SHOWTIME brought you “Knockout Kings” – four fights on SHOWTIME, that delivered four incredible stoppages. On October 20th, SHOWTIME delivered fight fans the first fights from the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. with four world title fights on one telecast.

“This Saturday, I have no doubt we keep our streak of action-packed fights alive. We have another stacked card. We have the return of “El Perro” – Alfredo Angulo – one of the most feared fighters in the junior middleweight division. We have rising star and world champ Leo Santa Cruz – one of the most exciting young fighters in boxing.

“As for the main event, if you’re a boxing fan – a real boxing fan – it doesn’t get any better than this. Abner Mares, who grew up on SHOWTIME, is a world champion with a rare combination of toughness and skill. Anselmo Moreno, a world champ as well, is one of the most skilled fighters in any division.”

ABOUT “MARES vs. MORENO”:

QUOTES FROM MONDAY’S PUBLIC MEDIA WORKOUT AT MACARTHUR PARK IN LOS ANGELES, CALIF.: WBC SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMP ABNER MARES, WBA BANTAMWEIGHT SUPER WORLD CHAMP ANSELMO MORENO, IBF BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION LEO SANTA CRUZ, JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTENDERS ALFRED ANGULO & RAUL CASAREZ, WBO LIGHT HEAYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION NATHAN CLEVERLY

LOS ANGELES (Nov. 6, 2012) – Six of the talented and exciting fighters who will compete this Saturday live on SHOWTIME® and SHOWTIME EXTREME® from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif. participated in a public media workout Monday in MacArthur Park in Los Angeles.

On hand for the outdoor event were undefeated WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Abner Mares (24-0-1, 13 KO’s), of Hawaiian Gardens, Calif., WBA Bantamweight Super World Champion Anselmo Moreno (33-1-1, 12 KO’s), of Panama City, Panama, unbeaten IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz (21-0-1, 12 KO’s), of Los Angeles, hard-hitting junior middleweight contender Alfred Angulo of Los Angeles by way of Mexicali, Mexico, the upset-minded junior middleweight contender Raul Casarez (19-2, 9 KO’s) of Edinburg, Texas and undefeated WBO Light Heavyweight World Champion Nathan Cleverly (24-0, 11 KO’s) of Cefn Fforest, Wales.

In a battle of world champions, Mares will risk his title against Moreno in the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). Santa Cruz will defend against Victor Zaleta (20-2-1, 10 KO’s) in the co-feature while Angulo and Casarez will clash in the telecast’s opening match.

Cleverly will put his unblemished record and world title belt on the line against Shawn Hawk (22-2-1, 16 KO’s), of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on SHOWTIME EXTREME (8 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). Also featured on SHOWTIME EXTREME will be a junior welterweight scrap between promising unbeaten Antonio Orozco (15-0, 11 KO’s) of San Diego, Calif. and Danny Escobar (8-1, 5 KO’s) of Riverside, Calif.

The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. PT and the first fight begins at 3:00 p.m.

What the fighters said Monday:

ABNER MARES

“You can expect a more mature, focused and ready Abner than you ever have seen before. I’m ready to fight. I’ve been through the most aggressive, best training camp ever. I feel great, I probably could have taken this whole week off and just concentrated on my weight.

“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. 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.

“I think this could be a more mentally exhausting fight than a physically exhausting one for me. 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.”

ANSELMO “CHEMITO” MORENO

“My style is what it is. 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.

“I’ve fought the same way since I was younger. I learned that lesson when I was fighting in the streets when you need to stay smart all the time and not just brawl.”

LEO SANTA CRUZ

“I was pretty happy with my performance when I became the first to knock out Eric Morel, but I really didn’t think it was that big a deal. I was really surprised at how excited fans and the media were after watching it. I remember reading what they had to say about me and the fight.

“I guess I left a pretty good impression, but now I need to do it again. All the nice words only serve to give me more motivation. The Morel fight was a good start, but I want to do this for a long, long time.

“I know Zaleta is a really good pressure fighter who likes to come forward and punch. This is going to be a really good fight. I can’t wait.”

ALFREDO “PERRO’’ ANGULO

“No words can describe how excited I am to be able to fight again and to be able to do it in my hometown is even better.

“I always knew that one day I would be free to fight again, the question was always when.”

(On why he decided to grow his hair long for Locks Of Love)

“I’ve always believed that for every bad thing that happens in life, something good would come out of it. My hair was getting long anyway and one day I got on the internet and did some research and found out about Locks Of Love.

“I never planned to do anything for charity until I read about it. You need to donate at least 10 inches of your hair. I haven’t had a real haircut in a while and I still have a little ways to go, but once it is long enough, that’s where my hair is going.’’

RAUL CASAREZ

“I’m excited. This is as big as it gets for me. I’ve worked very hard for this opportunity and now that it’s here I have to take advantage of it.

“I most definitely feel they are making a mistake by fighting me. There are a lot of 154-pounders who were willing to take this fight, but they chose the wrong guy and they can’t change their minds now.

“I’m hungry like you wouldn’t believe. I want it like you wouldn’t believe. It’s Showtime! Angulo had his time, but now it’s my turn.”

NATHAN CLEVERLY

“I’m very excited for Saturday and fans can look forward to a good fight and a good performance by me.

“It’s fantastic to be fighting on SHOWTIME EXTREME and I thank everyone involved for making it happen.

“I’m definitely relieved that I finally have an opponent. Now, I can relax. The downside, if you want to call it that, is that I trained 10 weeks for a southpaw, but I’m just happy we have a fight.

“I’m sure my opponent is going to give it everything. He’s a colorful, a come-forward type of fighter who can bang. I expect it to be tough. He’ll be fighting me with nothing to lose.”

ABNER MARES, ANSELMO MORENO, LEO SANTA CRUZ AND ALFREDO ANGULO MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT

Monica Sears
Thank you, everyone for taking the time out to join today’s call. We’re going to get straight to the fighters. On the first half we’ll have Alfredo Angulo and Leo Santa Cruz and then later we will be joined by Anselmo Moreno and Abner Mares. So at this time I’m going to turn the call over to the President of Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya. Oscar?

Oscar De La Hoya

Thank you, Monica. We are getting close. Thank you guys, all the media; I appreciate you being on the call. This is definitely one of the Golden Boy’s more exciting and anticipated cards of the year.

We obviously have Anselmo Moreno versus Abner Mares, which will be and should be a terrific card. Also on the card we have Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz versus Victor Zaleta. That will also be for a world title fight, and Alfredo Angulo versus Raul “El Tigre” Casarez, which is a 12-round junior middleweight fight.

This event will be taking place right around the corner, Saturday, November 10th at the Staples Center promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. I want to thank the sponsors Corona and AT&T.

If you cannot be there live, which I urge you, you should, because these are action packed fights, you can watch it on Showtime Championship Boxing and the telecast begins live at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time and it’s delayed here on the West Coast. But you can also watch the preliminary fights, which will air live on Showtime Extreme beginning at 8:00 Eastern.

There are tickets still available. Tickets are priced reasonably for these three terrific, terrific fights on TV. We obviously have more preliminary fights that will be taking place that night. Tickets start at $25 and you can get your ringside tickets for $200, and in between you have $100 and $50.

I am extremely, extremely proud to be introducing to you this next gentleman who has gone through a lot in life. He hails out of Baja California, Mexico and is now fighting out of Los Angeles, California. We obviously know him for his exciting style, his devastating punching power, his relentlessness up inside that squared circle.

He’s making his first appearance since having that fight of the year war against James Kirkland in 2011. He has been away for a while and he is now back, back with a vengeance, facing Raul Casarez. A fighter who is coming an 11 fight unbeaten streak. His last fight took place in March beating JC Candelo.

So he wanted a tough opponent. He wanted a guy who was coming at him who is going to make a fan-friendly fight and that’s who this next guy is. Let me introduce to you. He has a record of 20-2 with 17 knockouts, Alfredo Angulo.

Alfredo Angulo

How are you, everybody? Thank you so much for the call. I appreciate it.

De La Hoya

And also I have the pleasure to introduce to you a fighter who is making a great name for himself. He is the IBF bantamweight world champion. He’s making the second title defense. He’s a young Mexican-American phenom who is one of boxing’s bright young stars and he’s knocked out ten of his last eleven opponents.

He’s coming off a career-defining win over former world champion Eric Morel on September 15th, which he handed Morel’s first ever knockout loss. Obviously he’s now looking to continue his momentum and close out 2012 with a big bang.

He’s facing Victor Zaleta. He has a record of 20-2 with 10 knockouts, hailing out of El Paso, Texas, and he’s coming off four consecutive victories and he’s getting ready for his first world title shot. So let me introduce to you the champion, the IBF world champion, Leo Santa Cruz.

Leo Santa Cruz

I want to tell everybody thank you and I’m real happy to be on this interview and I’m ready. I’m training really hard and I’m going to be ready to give all you guys a good show on November 10th.

Alfredo, obviously you’ve been out of the ring for a long time. Can you talk about your hunger to get back in the ring after having that disappointing loss?

Angulo

I’m really, really hungry, more excited to get back to L.A. and fight at Staples Center. I’m more hungry and I am ready for November 10.

Who are you training with and who is your trainer? And also how is it getting the rust off from having not been in the ring? How long have you been training and how is the rust coming off?

Angulo

Yes, everything is good. I’m working for Darryl Hudson, my conditioning coach and two weeks after we were working very hard. I’ve been training for two and a half months.

My last question for you is what do you know about your opponent?

Angulo

I really don’t know too much about my opponent but I do know he’s good. I know he’s been on an 11-fight win streak and it doesn’t matter what he does, if he’s going to run or if he’s going to stand and fight, it doesn’t really matter to me. I’m focused and I can fight any way. I’m concentrating on making a good fight.

I don’t know if you appreciate the magnitude of what you’ve accomplished. I know you’ve heard it’s the first time Morel has been stopped, but it wasn’t just the knockout, it was the way you did it. This is a guy who did not quit. You made him quit. Can you talk about since that fight have you really gained an appreciation for the magnitude of what you accomplished and how you accomplished it, snuffing him out like that?

Santa Cruz

Yeah, I appreciate it. I’ve been hearing a lot of people that they like that it was a great performance and everything that that. It gives me more motivation. It gives me more strength to train, to come to the gym and work harder. It feels good hearing that from people and for people to tell me that. It gives me more strength to train in the gym and I want to do even better so I can hear more of that and have the people tell me other stuff.

What, in your mind, what was the difference between-were you a better fighter in just that one fight than the previous fight against Malinga, or was it just the function of styles and intensity that led to your performance against Morel?

Santa Cruz

I think it was a little of both because I did have more time to train for this fight, for Morel. For the Malinga fight, I didn’t really have that much time and for this one I did. With my strength and conditioning coach, we did, I think it was like two months of preparation and for the Malinga we only had like six weeks. So I think it was a little of both.

How big a part of your arsenal is the body punches? Was that something we’re going to see continuously? I mean there was a guy named Mike McCallum who was known as the body puncher. Was that a function of what happened that night or is that something you’re going to make a regular part of your arsenal?

Santa Cruz

I keep working on that because it’s natural. It comes natural for me and if we practice it more it’s going to come even better. My dad has always been teaching me that body jab in the gym. He’s always been telling me, “Work that. Work that.” If he don’t see me … he’s always telling me, “Oh, you have to throw it. Don’t be lazy and throw it because with that punch once you hit them good, little by little they’ll be dropping. And no matter how strong they are you’re going to drop them anytime.”

You know, you’ve gone through a difficult time, Alfredo Angulo, being detained and all that. Do you think that this a very tough opponent that you’re fighting?

Angulo

Yes, I did go through a very difficult period, but I’ve proven to myself and I’ve proven to everybody that I’m ready for anything. I know that Casarez is a very good fighter. I’ve never asked for easy opponents. So if anything, I’m going to be ready and I’m going to give the fans what they deserve.

What does it mean to you that you’re becoming quickly the best action fighter in this sport, well the young action fighter I should say?

Santa Cruz

It’s an honor for me. I get excited to hear all that and all the people saying that. It shows all the hard work I have been doing and all the hard work and sacrifices. I’m dedicated to the gym. I’m always in the gym. I don’t go out. I don’t go partying. I’m always in the gym, go home, rest, eat and then back to the gym. Like that’s all I do.

The list of names that you mentioned before of guys you want to fight in the future, is that an indication that you’re probably moving up to 122? Because I’m looking at the bantamweight and it seems like all the best names have left and they’re moving up. I just want to know if that’s in your future and if you’re even still able to make the weight comfortably?

Santa Cruz

My plans for the future and my trainer plan to move me up in weight, 122. I think I will feel a lot stronger at that weight, because all the good fighters are moving up to 122 and they’re right there right now, and for me to be a good champion and to be the best I want to beat the best. Mares and Moreno are the best right now. So I would like to fight them so I could try to beat ….

Alfredo, while you were detained did you have any idea when you would be getting out or were you hopeless during that situation and then what were you going through while you were detained in the immigration situation?

Angulo

I had no idea. I had no idea when I was going to get out. I was told it was going to be a short time and obviously that didn’t happen. So I just kept focusing on staying strong, just to get out of there.

I kept thinking about my daughter, which is very important to me. And also I kept thinking about helping other detainees, that were in the same situation as I was, get out and making a difference in helping them out. And obviously the last thing was being able to get back in the ring and fighting in the United States again.

Alfredo, were you able to stay in any kind of condition while you were there? Were you allowed to workout or was it just a matter of you couldn’t really do anything and so when you did finally come out you kind of had to start scratch to get yourself into boxing shape?

Angulo

No, the reality is they didn’t let me train in there. A simple thing like having tennis shoes, it took me two months. They didn’t allow me to use or have tennis shoes for two months. The rules stipulate that it’s a three-day process, but for some reason it took me two months to get tennis shoes. The only thing I ever did to stay physically fit and in shape was play handball and I did that every day for two hours a day.

With other people or by yourself?

Angulo

Yeah, no, it was team play, two on two or four.

Alfredo, how long were you actually in this detention center? How many months or how many weeks? How long was it from the time that you were put there ’til the time they let you out?

Angulo

Seven months.

And is everything with your immigration situation now handled? You are able to legally be in America? You are able to fight in America? Are you able to go back and forth to Mexico and see your family and friends and it’s all taken care of or are there still other issues that are overshadowing this whole situation?

Angulo

I’m here legally. Everything is fine. The process is behind me. All I have to do now is just think about the future and move forward.

Okay, very good, thank you, Alfredo, I wish you the best of luck next week.

Alfredo, how’s training camp coming along so far?

Angulo

Honestly, it’s going very, very good, very good with the addition of Virgil Hunter. I’m working very, very good with him. He’s doing a great job, my fitness-conditioning trainer. I think that people are going to see the difference in me. They’re going to see that I have a great team behind me now and I’ve got so much more to give and that’s what was lacking before. So I’m very excited and it’s going to be very good.

All right, with the addition of Virgil Hunter have you made any changes in your arsenal going into this fight?

Angulo

Basically, it’s the same style, the thing that Virgil has done is he’s added to my style. He’s enhanced it. He’s picked up on things that I already knew about but I forget through time, through different fights. So he’s picked up on some of the things that I wasn’t doing and he’s incorporated that through repetition and training.

So it’s the same style and nothing really has changed, but I’m ready for the fight. I’m ready. How am I ready? I’m sure everybody’s going to be able to tell because just alone with the weigh in you can a fighter’s ready or not and when you guys see me at the weigh in you’ll know that I’m ready.

Okay. And not to look ahead, Alfredo, but do you see yourself fighting a rematch with James Kirkland in the future?

Angulo

Yes, no problem, no problem whatsoever. If the fight presents itself in the future, no problem, I’ll do it. I think that I owe it to my fans to come and see that fight and see the rematch. So I’ll do the rematch. I don’t have any problem fighting anybody, whoever it is.

Leo, each one of your fights is more exciting than the previous one. How important is it to you not only to win but look impressive?

Santa Cruz

It is very important for me to win this fight because it’s what we’ve been training for. We’ve been getting ready here in the gym. We’ve been sparring hard. We’ve been training really hard with my conditioning coach and my dad. We have been working the body, and I think it’s very important. I always train hard and train my best to give the fans and all my people a good show.

Sears

Thank you very much, Leo and Alfredo. We’re done with questions on your side. If you’d like to jump off the call now we will look forward to seeing you guys next week. Then, Oscar, I’d like to turn the call back to you to introduce our main event for November 10th with Abner and Anselmo.

De La Hoya

Thank you very much, Leo, Alfredo. Great job.

So now I would like to introduce to you guys the main event. I believe this fight will be who the best super bantamweight is in the world. You have first Anselmo Moreno. He has a record of 33-1 with 12 knockouts. He’s been unstoppable since his lone loss in his eighth professional fight in, I believe, 2002. He captured the WBA world championship title in 2008.

He’s coming off an incredible winning streak of 27 fights. In his last fight in April he stopped David De La Mora in nine rounds and now he’s moving up in weight, moving up in weight and facing the best out there in Abner Mares. A very good fight, a very good match up, it could be a tremendous, tremendous, exciting fight. Anselmo Moreno.

Anselmo Moreno

The hour’s upon us. I can’t wait. I think that a lot of fans can’t wait for this fight. It’s a fight that has been talked about before. I think that I’m ready and it’s going to be a very, very good fight. I can’t wait.

De La Hoya

Thank you very much. I would also like to introduce to you the champion. He hails out of Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico. Now fighting out of Hawaiian Gardens.

He is the former IBF bantamweight world champion, moved up in weight to capture the WBC super bantamweight world title. He’s Golden Boy’s first homegrown world champion. He won an exciting split decision over Vic Darchinyan.

Also, he went on to win Showtime’s bantamweight tournament and we all know the great fight he had against Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko, winning the IBF bantamweight title and defending his WBC bantamweight title. Then he went on to have a rematch with him once again in December 2011 where he won his second divisional world title, also against “Little Hands of Steel” Morel, which earned him the WBC world title. So he’s a two time, two-divisional world champion.

November 10th he will be facing another terrific and great champion in Anselmo Moreno. You have two of the best bantamweights out there in the world today, in the one squared circle. So this should be a terrific, terrific fight, so without any further ado, the champion, Abner Mares.

Abner Mares

Hi. Good afternoon to everyone. I just want to say I can’t wait. November 10th, it’s also my favorite month because it’s also the month of my birthday. And I can’t wait. I’m really excited to see fans excited for this fight. I can’t wait to give a show. I’m sure Anselmo trained really hard. I trained hard as well and I can’t wait for fight night.

Abner, you and Anselmo Moreno, you fought on the same cards a couple of times already. You were in the main event and he was fighting on your under cards. This was when you were bantamweight champion and also since you won your title of junior featherweight. When that was going on did you sort of anticipate that at some point this would be the fight you would have?

Mares

To be honest, yes, I did actually. Obviously we’re in the same weight class, bantamweight. When he first started fighting in my under cards he was a current champion as well. So I definitely saw myself fighting him in the future. Like I say, here we are. It’s made. People were asking, then asking, for this fight and I can’t wait to give the people what they want.

Were you paying attention to-I know you were fighting in the main event so you were warming up for fights when he was fighting in your cards, but were you trying at least a little bit in the dressing room to pay attention to what was going on with his fights?

Were you watching the monitor out of the corner of your eye and thinking in the future or were you just focused on your own fight that night and if this got made in the future then you’d go back and look at the videos and talk to your trainer about all that stuff? What was that like knowing that you might fight him?

Mares

Well definitely I was not looking at his fights while I was warming up. I was mainly concentrating on my fight. I was warming up, you know, and just thinking about my opponent that night. Like I’ve always said, I don’t like looking at opponents’ fights. I’ve seen him fight, yes. I’m not going to lie; I’ve seen him fight a couple of times, not many rounds. Like I say he’s a really technical, elusive fighter. I leave that for my trainer. But again, for some reason I always thought this fight would come, the day would come and we’re only ten days away.

So he hasn’t lost a fight since 2002, and I think if I’m not mistaken that was a four-round fight. So it’s been a long time. It’s been almost a decade since he’s had a loss. He’s won a bantamweight title and fought a lot of good opponents. He’s long. He’s a southpaw. He’s a tricky fighter. Let’s be honest about that.

How do you deal with that with your style? You’re a good boxer, a good puncher, but he’s a real slick, kind of an annoying kind of guy to fight I would imagine, just watching the way he fights. How in the world do you go about trying to break that tough style down?

Mares

Well first of all, he hasn’t fought anyone like me. Yes, he has over 30 fights. His last two fights were against good fighters. Those are the only two fighters that have been in the U.S. The rest have been in Panama. I don’t know who he’s been fighting.

Well he fought good guys. He fought guys like Sidorenko and Sermeno and Parra, you know, good opponents.

Mares

He hasn’t fought me. He hasn’t fought my style, I’m just going to go in there and figure him out really. I mean the training is done already. We got the proper sparring partners that really kind of imitated him in some way and we felt good in sparring.

I can’t wait to get in the ring. Again, I like to figure out the opponent once we get in the ring, but I think with Anselmo it’s just a matter of getting him out of his game plan and making it a really uncomfortable fight for him.

Okay great, I’m curious to know when you first came to America and had signed with Golden Boy and then started to fight on Abner’s under cards, if, like I asked Abner, if you thought was that at some point, whether it was in a bantamweight title fight or even a junior featherweight, that this would be the fight that would happen? What were his thoughts about that?

Moreno

Yes, you know what, obviously yes. I mean I’ve always wanted to fight good fighters like Abner, and it crossed my mind, obviously yes, fighting him. He’s a very, very good fighter. It did cross my mind and I felt that someday it should happen or it will happen and I just thank God that it finally happened.

How closely to Abner’s fights then did you pay attention when you would finish your fight with winning and then Abner was on next. Did you scout him out and pay close attention or not?

Moreno

The first couple of times I didn’t really pay too much attention. I didn’t really pay too much attention. But it wasn’t until the Eric Morel fight that I paid very, very close attention because I felt that there was a good chance that I would be fighting him. So I took a lot of notes and I paid attention to that fight from round one all the way to round 12.

Mares, are you feeling comfortable with the superstar role that Golden Boys’ kind of grooming you towards or do you get nervous leading up to this fight? How do you feel with that superstar role that you’re heading towards?

Mares

Well, I don’t feel any different. I don’t feel like I’m a superstar yet. I just do my job really, fight the best and that’s pretty much it. I mean I am excited to be fighting here in L.A. in the Staples Center. I grew up here. I’ve got family here, friends, and the first time headlining Staples Center or the Lakers’ Place. That’s it for me. I’m taking that really in a positive way. I’m excited and just can’t wait.

The Lakers haven’t had that much success this year, but hopefully we’ll see some success from you.

My next question is for Moreno. Now that Abner is kind of being groomed for the next superstar, if he’s not superstar yet, leading up to that are you looking to kind of steal the show at Staples Center, like you said, under the spotlight and kind of take his rhythm away from him going into that fight?

Moreno

Obviously we both want to steal the night and we both want to be in the limelight. This is going to be a very, very, very tough fight for me. It’s not going to be an easy fight. I understand this. He’s the world champion. So, all I can say is that I’m very, very well prepared for this fight. I’m sure we both are. It’s going to be a great night and I think I have what it takes.

My next question would be, if Oscar De La Hoya’s still on the line, for the Showtime Extreme bouts, is there anything confirmed for those fights yet?

De La Hoya

Well that would be a question for Eric Gomez, the matchmaker.

E. Gomez

Yes, actually we’re working on finalizing Nathan Cleverly’s world title defense with the WBO light heavyweight world champion. So he will be on the Showtime Extreme. And we also have Antonio Orozco of San Diego, who’s a hot prospect, that we signed, undefeated, a very exciting fighter and he’ll be on the Showtime Extreme as well.

Eric, what did you just say? Do you know who Cleverly and Orozco’s opponents are going to be?

Gomez

We do have an opponent currently for Orozco. His opponent is Danny Escobar out of Riverside, California. And for Nathan Cleverly, we’re close. I’ve been working very closely with Dean Powell, who’s the matchmaker for Frank Warren. We’ve zeroed in on a couple of guys. There’s an opponent that fell out. So it’ll come out shortly.

Abner, you fought what 60 championship rounds against topnotch guys. You’ve had to grow up on television in front of your public. All of your mistakes were right there. This is a guy who has obviously watched you a little bit. For you personally, can you talk about the challenge of facing him? You’ve obviously proven yourself. How does he rank in terms of the challenges you’ve already faced in 60 rounds?

Mares

It’s a big challenge, believe me, and they keep getting bigger and bigger as I keep fighting. I want it to continue. Obviously I fought nothing but world champions, current world champions, ex-world champions in my last four or five fights.

Definitely everybody’s good in their own style and Anselmo Moreno brings in a different style. A unique style you could say, a great style that works for him. He’s obviously a really defensive fighter, smart fighter type of a fighter. But again, we train hard and this is what we train for.

You don’t pick your opponent now days. I don’t like to pick opponents. Whoever is there to fight, whoever is the best, I’ll fight them no matter what style he brings and I just have to get accustomed to it and figure him out.

And that’s what this beautiful sport is about. It’s about figuring out the opponent. It’s being like a chess game inside the ring. November 10th people are going to see a different Abner, as they always see every single fight, and I can’t wait to face this new style that I’ve never faced.

You and him have one common opponent that you fought within a year of each other. You beat Darchinyan in 2010. He beat him a year later in December, this past December. Do you gain anything from comparing the way he fought him to the way you fought him?

Mares

Not really. I mean they’re totally different styles. He’s a southpaw. I mean both of them were southpaws. I was fighting a southpaw. There’s no way you can compare being that he’s a different fighter, different style. I’m a different style. I have no comparison. I can’t compare that fight.

Do you feel like you’re getting the respect that you deserve? Not just in this fight, because he’s already, I think, gotten votes for being in the top ten pound for pound and you haven’t. You’ve been in the public eye and you fought big name guys. What are your thoughts on that? Do you concern yourself with any of that?

Mares

It’s not a concern. It’s a little bit of frustration you could say. I mean being that you just said I faced all these tough opponents back to back. Really, I mean, thank God there are some good fans out there that give me the recognition and know who I am and obviously thank you to Showtime for showcasing my fights. But obviously there are other fighters out there that don’t have, the recognition I have. I’m really known out there. But again, I know my time will come. I’ve just got to be patient. Everything happens for a reason and I’ve just got to keep pushing myself and keep going.

Abner, I just want to know how well you’ve grown into the super bantamweight division? You only had one fight there so far and that was with Morel. I just want to know if you feel like you’re full fledged to the bantamweight now.

Mares

No doubt, I’m really familiar with the weight class. I started at the weight class actuall super bantamweight. So it’s not new to me. And if anything, I think I’ve gotten stronger, really, bigger, stronger, and I could tell you I’ve adapted to it really, really well. I’m sparing 140 pounders right now, 135-140 pounders, and they say they feel my power.

You mentioned your power. I was going to bring that up next. I think five fights have gone the distance. So do you think the weight is going to make a difference in this fight or do you think it’s going to be a matter of figuring out Moreno’s style first and then leading to a whole full knockout I guess?

Mares

Well yes, again no doubt figuring his style out first. He is a very hard, difficult fighter, you know, hard fighter to hit. Obviously figure him out first and if the chance is there, go for it. I don’t know how my power’s going to be in that weight class. I hope and I believe that it’s going to be great. Again, I feel really strong and we’ll see. We’ll see if KO comes. If not, I’m ready for a full 12 rounds.

All right, Abner, you’re facing Moreno, a southpaw with a great counter punching style. What do you feel you need to do in this fight in order to impose your will on him?

Mares

Again, he is a really technical fighter, counter puncher all that. I just have to go in there and make it a difficult fight for him. Not make it an easy fight, a comfortable fight, meaning staying at his distance, giving him the chance to just counter me or do whatever he wants from him distance. I’ve got to be up close and I’ve just got to make it my fight. If I have to make it an ugly fight, so be it, but as long as it’s my fight and he gets uncomfortable in it.

Okay. There are some good fights for you up in junior lightweight. How long do you plan to campaign as a junior featherweight?

Mares

Well I’m really comfortable now here at this weight. It’s all a matter of who they can get for me next, God willing everything goes well with this fight really, and we’ll take it from there. But I mean this weight class right now there’s a lot of talent. There are a lot of good fighters, a lot of good fighters in this weight. So I could stick around for maybe another year.

Okay, so it seems like you’re pretty comfortable where you’re at right now. Okay, and I know you don’t want to look past Moreno, but what are your thoughts on Nonito Donaire and how do you feel about the possibility of that fight happening in the future?

Mares

That’s actually the fight I wanted before the Anselmo Moreno fight, but it didn’t work out. I got this fight, which is also as tough and as great for the fans. All I can say, Nonito, he’s a great fighter. He’s really, really explosive, really great fighter.

His last performance against Nishioka, I mean the fight was a little bit, you could say boring at the beginning, but being that Nishioka wasn’t throwing that much, he wasn’t giving that much, but Nonito found a way and took his time and got that knockout. He looked good.

If I were to fight him, obviously I’d fight him different and it would be a great fight. I know and I’ve seen that people want that fight. They’ve been asking for that fight and they know that I could give them a hell of a fight and definitely beat him as well. But again, that’s in the future, first things first.

I just want to say best of luck to you, Abner. I look forward to seeing you fight next week. Oscar De La Hoya and Eric Gomez, I just want to commend you guys for the excellent cards you guys have put on this year. I just want to thank you for thinking of the fans first.

De La Hoya

Thank you very much. It’s appreciated and it’s a team effort, all of us at Golden Boy.

I’ve got to ask though, the only blemish on your record is that draw with Yonny Perez. Do you feel that inspired you to level where you’re at?

Mares

Yes, definitely, that was my first world title shot. I lost. Well, I drew, but pretty much it was a loss for myself because I took it that way. I went to the gym and trained even harder and got myself back in rhythm, back on my toes, and obviously with the help of my promotion and Showtime for putting me on that bantamweight tournament.

And your fights with Agbeko, that first fight, I guess they felt like they dealt with some controversy and then you guys had the rematch. How do you feel about that first fight and then the second fight?

Mares

I mean the first fight obviously is just something that happened in that fight. His style, the way he was leaning down, pushing me down, I mean just numerous things that just happened that night, but it happened.

I gave him the rematch right away. I didn’t want to continue my career with people talking about that controversial fight. I just wanted to get it over with. I wanted to prove to people that that was not just a fluke. I didn’t just win because of what happened, and clearly not.

We fought him again. I felt really good. I think I out boxed him. I was a better fighter that night and against a great fighter because Joseph was a super, super fighter and he hits really hard. Again, a great fight and from both of the fights I learned a lot.

And now you’re getting ready to fight Moreno. Moreno is good at keeping fighters off of him, but now he’s fighting a guy that has a vicious body attack. Do you think he’s going to be able to weather that?

Mares

I don’t know. I hope not. I don’t know. I mean obviously that’s one of the games plans, but there are many things we could go in there and do. Whatever it is, whatever he brings, we have to counter attack that. I know he’s a boxer in that ring that night. It looks that way. It looks like he’s going to be the boxer that night. He’s going to be the technical fighter, but who knows. It might be me. So expect anything from Abner and it’ll be a great fight.

Thank you. Hey, Abner, I had a follow up question. I drew, a couple minutes ago in talking about your desire in the future to fight a guy like Donaire, which I guess to most people, assuming you were able to win the fight next week would crown the true champion at 122 pounds.

You both have championships. You’re obviously both topnotch guys. Would you have liked to have that fight now instead of thinking about in the future, just because Donaire, as good as Moreno has been, Donaire’s got a bit of a bigger name and you guys are probably the two biggest names in the weight class?

Mares

Yeah, without a doubt. I mean I’ve said it that I thought that was going to be my next fight after the Morel fight, but obviously for some reason the fight didn’t happen. It didn’t get made.

Again, you know, this fight came through and it’s just as exciting. Again, a fight the fans were asking for. But without a doubt, I mean, I’ll take, hands down, the Nonito fight. All I have to say is this fight is done already I’m fighting Moreno and keep going. This is a tough fight and God willing winning this fight I hope, I really hope that we get the Nonito fight after.

My question for Anselmo is I just wonder how he feels about taking this fight at 122 pounds and if he feels like it’s a weight class that he plans on staying at win, lose or draw?

Moreno

I feel very good at 122. Right now I’m actually-I feel very strong, very fast. I’m almost at the weight limit already. So I’m feeling very, very good. And as far as staying at 122, it really depends on the outcome of the fight. I’ll see how it goes in the fight and I’ll make a determination with my wife and manager and we’ll go from there.

Okay, and then I had a question regarding, it’s a totally separate matter, Chris Pearson, I just want to know if an opponent was decided for him and if he will be on the Showtime Extreme portion of the card as well?

Gomez

Chris Pearson is going to be a swing bout. So there’s a chance he might get some airtime on Extreme. We’re close on finalizing an opponent.

My question is Abner has said that he hasn’t faced an opponent like Anselmo and you haven’t faced an opponent like Abner, and I wanted to get his thoughts on where Abner ranks, as far as difficulty, among the guys you have fought?

Moreno

My biggest or toughest opponent is always my work in the gym. Whatever Abner said, that’s his opinion, but my training and preparation is always very tough, very intense. So for me, as long as my training and preparation goes well, then I go into every fight as it’s just another opponent. So I know what I go through in my training camps and they’re very, very tough, intense, and those are my toughest opponents, my training camps.

Abner said that he is going to try to make it uncomfortable for you. Meaning he’s going to bring the fight to you. If he has to make it an ugly fight he will. How do you see Abner’s style and how he can, I guess, neutralize it or handle it?

Moreno

I think that Abner’s style is-he’s a classic Mexican warrior that’s going to come to battle. That’s the style that he has. My style is no secret. I like to hit and not get hit. But I feel that I’m very, very confident in my conditioning; that I’m going to be able to overcome anything. I’m very anxious and hungry for this fight and that’s what’s going to lift me to victory.

Do you draw any comparisons from how tough Darchinyan was for Abner Mares and how relatively easy Darchinyan was for you? Are there any comparisons to be made or is that just two different fights?

Moreno

The answer was his distinctly different styles. The style that he has and the style that I have are very, very different. They’re distinct styles. So obviously I don’t take into account the Darchinyan fight because I have a style that’s very complicated.

Darchinyan has a style that’s very complicated and they’re very distinct. Every fight is an individual fight and they’re very distinct. So I don’t really take that into consideration, but I know that I’m going to be ready. I have a style that can complicate anybody.

My last question for you is Abner has had to fight 60 rounds against quality opposition and had to really put out pretty much everything he’s had in those fights and I wanted to know if you have seen those fights, if you’ve learned anything from watching those fights and if you think Abner improved during the course of those fights?

Moreno

The fights that I’ve really watched of Abner, they’re just the last couple of fights, the ones that I’ve been in where I’ve participated on the under cards. I can’t really say if he’s gotten better or if he’s learned anything in those last fights because I haven’t seen all those 60 rounds you’re talking about. But what I do know is that I’m very ready for this fight and I’ve done my work.

Abner, how do you feel about the fight. This fight, you know, it’s a very difficult fight. How have you prepared for the fight? How do you feel going into this fight with Anselmo Moreno?

Mares

You know what? I’ve prepared very, very well for this fight. I’m ready for the fight. Obviously I’ve trained harder than I’ve ever trained before for any fight because it’s going to be a tough fight. I can’t really talk too much about Anselmo. I don’t know what he’s doing, but I know that he’s going to be ready for this fight because it’s a big fight. So obviously I’m ready for this fight and I’m ready to go, ready to win.

Have you seen videos of Anselmo? Have you seen his fights? What do you think about his style?

Mares

Yeah, you know, about his style, obviously it’s a different kind of style. It’s a style that you don’t really see too often. He’s a good fighter. I’m not a person that likes to look at video too much. I leave that up to my trainers. They set up my training camp and sparring partners, but I can say that I know he’s a good fighter. He’s a very good fighter and I’m a very good fighter as well and I’ve got my own style as well so we’ll see who’s style works out the best at night and it’s going to be a good fight.

Sears

All right, thanks, everyone, so much for taking the time to be on this call. I know it was a long one, but we’re really looking forward to next week having you guys both out at the Staples Center November 10th. If you’re not in L.A. or in the area you can watch it live on Showtime.

END OF CALL

PUBLIC MEDIA WORKOUT AT LOS ANGELES’ MACARTHUR PARK TO KICK OFF MARES vs. moreno fight week

ABNER MARES, ANSELMO MORENO, LEO SANTA CRUZ, VICTOR ZALETA, ALFREDO ANGULO AND RAUL CASAREZ TO HOLD OPEN-TO-THE-PUBLIC MEDIA WORKOUT IN ADVANCE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE FIGHTS TAKING PLACE ON NOVEMBER 10 AT STAPLES CENTER IN LOS ANGELES WHICH WILL BE TELEVISED LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5 AT 12:00 P.M. PT

WHO: ABNER MARES, WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion

ANSELMO MORENO, WBA Bantamweight Super World Champion

LEO “TERREMOTO” SANTA CRUZ, IBF Bantamweight World Champion

VICTOR ZALETA, IBF Bantamweight Title Contender

ALFREDO “EL PERRO” ANGULO, Junior Middleweight Contender

RAUL CASAREZ, Junior Middleweight Contender

PAUL RODRIGUEZ,Latin King of Comedy & Workout Emcee

WHAT: WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Abner Mares, WBA Bantamweight

Super World Champion Anselmo Moreno, IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz, IBF Bantamweight Title Contender Victor Zaleta, and Junior Middleweight Contenders Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo and Raul Casarez will host a public media workout as they prepare for their respective bouts taking place Saturday, November 10 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles which will be televised live on SHOWTIME.

WHEN: Monday, November 5

12:00 p.m. – Abner Mares

12:20 p.m. – Raul Casarez

12:40 p.m. – Anselmo Moreno

1:00 p.m. – Leo Santa Cruz

1:20 p.m. – Alfredo Angulo

1:40 p.m. – Victor Zaleta

WHERE: MacArthur Park Boathouse Parking Lot

(Located on Alvarado St. between Wilshire Blvd. & 7th St. 90057)

FACTS: Mares vs. Moreno, a 12-round battle for Mares’ WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship taking place on November 10 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the co-featured attractions, Los Angeles’ own Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz puts his IBF Bantamweight World Championship on the line against Victor “Nene” Zaleta and hard-hitting junior middleweight Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo of Los Angeles by way of Mexicali, Mexico makes his highly anticipated return against Raul Casarez in a 12-round bout. The SHOWTIME® CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

TICKETS: Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service

charges and taxes, are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000 and at the STAPLES Center Box Office.

LOS ANGELES’ LEO SANTA CRUZ SET TO DEFEND IBF BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AGAINST MEXICO’S VICTOR ZALETA ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10 LIVE ON SHOWTIME® FROM STAPLES CENTER IN LOS ANGELES

LOS ANGELES, October 29 – Unbeaten in his last four fights, Mexico’s Victor Zaleta will get the biggest opportunity of his career on Saturday, November 10 when he faces unbeaten reigning World Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz for his IBF Bantamweight World Championship in a co-featured attraction to the Abner Mares vs. Anselmo Moreno WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles that will be televised live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

“I am so happy to be defending my title in front of a hometown crowd at STAPLES Center,” said Santa Cruz. “I feel like I can really conquer anyone after my fight in September against Eric Morel, so Zaleta had better come prepared.”

“This fight is something I have waited for since I started fighting,” said Zaleta. “I am going to take advantage of this opportunity, become a world champion and make my name known.”

“This fight is the perfect addition to this already stellar card,” said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “Leo Santa Cruz is going to do whatever he can to keep his title and remain undefeated, but I know Zaleta is coming to fight. This is going to be a toe-to-toe battle that fans are not going to want to miss.”

Santa Cruz is coming off of a career-defining win over Morel on September 15 in which the champ handed the rugged Morel his first ever knockout loss. He will bring a record of 21-0-1 with 12 KO’s into the ring on November 10 and is eager to keep his momentum going in front of his hometown fans in Los Angeles. Just 24-years-old, “Terremoto,” who wows fans and foes alike with his extremely high punch volume, went from prospect to champion in 2012 when he won his first world title in June with a dominant decision win over Vusi Malinga. Now with the fifth round stoppage over Morel under his belt, the sky’s the limit for this young Mexican-American phenom.

A professional for nearly six years and hailing from Juarez, Mexico, Victor “Nene” Zaleta (20-2-1, 10 KO’s) is a dangerous threat to anyone who meets him in the ring. A former WBC FECOMBOX and WBC CABOFE champion at 115 pounds, Zaleta’s only loss in his last 16 bouts was a decision defeat against 32-0-2 Omar Andres Narvaez in a 2011 WBO super flyweight title fight. Coming off of four consecutive victories since then, he’s ready for his first world title shot on November 10..

Mares vs. Moreno, a 12-round battle for Mares’ WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship taking place on November 10 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. In the co-featured attractions, Los Angeles’ own Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz puts his IBF Bantamweight World Championship on the line against Victor “Nene” Zaleta, hard-hitting junior middleweight Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo, of Los Angeles by way of Mexicali, Mexico, makes his highly anticipated return against Raul Casarez in a 12-round bout. The SHOWTIME® CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets, priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000 and at the STAPLES Center Box Office.

ABNER MARES vs. VIC DARCHINYAN & ANSELMO MORENO vs. VIC DARCHINYAN SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT STARS HEADLINE FOX DEPORTES CLASSICS ON OCT. 20 AHEAD OF THEIR NOV. 10 BATTLE

LOS ANGELES, October 19 – One of the biggest fights of 2012 is on the horizon with unbeaten WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Abner Mares defending his crown against WBA Bantamweight Super World Champion Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno on November 10 at STAPLES Center in a twelve round fight for Mares’ title which will be televised live on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing. Before these two exciting stars step into the ring, FOX Deportes Classics will show you how they got to this point by replaying two epic battles with Mares vs. Vic Darchinyan on Saturday, October 20 at 11:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT and Moreno vs. Darchinyan on Sunday, October 21 at 1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. ET (check your local listings for exact time due to MLB playoff schedules).

In the main event, Mares announces his arrival on the world stage with his 12 round split decision victory over Australia’s Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan from December of 2010 and, in the co-feature, Moreno shows his stuff against the “Raging Bull,” when he made his United States debut against Darchinyan in a fight from December of 2011.

A 2004 Mexican Olympian who now fights out of Hawaiian Gardens, Calif., unbeaten Abner Mares entered the ring at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington on December 11, 2010 determined to make his mark in the first round of SHOWTIME’s Bantamweight Tournament and he did just that against Australian superstar Vic Darchinyan, trading knockdowns with his foe before emerging victorious via 12 round split decision and eventually winning the tournament.

Nearly a year later, it was Panama native Anselmo Moreno’s turn to battle the “Raging Bull.” In another hard-fought 12 round battle, “Chemito” defended his WBA Bantamweight Super World Championship with a unanimous decision win over Darchinyan.

# # #

Mares vs. Moreno is a 12-round battle for Mares’ WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship promoted by Golden Boy Promotions taking place on November 10 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. The event is sponsored by Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on SHOWTIME.

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are available for purchase at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000 or at the STAPLES Center Box Office.

IT’S OFFICIAL: CHAMPION VS. CHAMPION WBC SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION ABNER MARES DEFENDS AGAINST WBA BANTAMWEIGHT SUPER WORLD CHAMPION ANSELMO MORENO NOV. 10 AT STAPLES CENTER LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

LOS ANGELES (Oct. 3, 2012) – Oscar De La Hoya formally announced yesterday at ESPN Zone L.A. Live that undefeated Abner Mares (24-0-1, 13 KO’s), of Hawaiian Gardens, Calif., would defend his WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship against WBA Bantamweight Super World Champion Anselmo Moreno (33-1-1, 12 KO’s), of Panama City, Panama, in the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday, Nov. 10, at STAPLES Center live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

In other televised fights, exciting, hard-hitting junior middleweight Alfred Angulo (20-2, 17 KO’s), of Los Angeles by way of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, will make his highly anticipated return in his initial start under trainer Virgil Hunter and first fight in a year against Raul Casarez (19-2, 9 KO’s) of Edinburg, Texas. Undefeated IBF Bantamweight Champion Leo Santa Cruz (21-0-1, 12 KO’s), of Lincoln Heights, Calif., who is coming off an eye-opening fifth-round TKO win over former world champ Eric Morel, will make his second defense against an opponent to be determined. A fourth bout will be announced soon.

Mares vs. Moreno is a 12-round battle for Mares’ WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship promoted by Golden Boy Promotions taking place on November 10 at STAPLESCenter in Los Angeles. The event is sponsored by Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on SHOWTIME.

What Mares, Moreno, Santa Cruz, Angulo and De La Hoya said yesterday:

ABNER MARES

“It’s an honor to be headlining at STAPLESCenter, but I really don’t think about it. I’m just excited to be fighting a guy like Chemito, who people say is a pound-for-pound fighter, which he is. The fans have been asking for a fight like this for a long time. I think they’re happy that it is going to happen.

“I’m also excited for my hometown fans and friends, who’ll get the chance to see this fight live, but I know I can’t get caught up with stuff like that. This is a big fight for me, for both of us, and a great opportunity to showcase my talents.

“Chemito hasn’t lost in 10 years. He is a very difficult fighter, very talented, a technical, defensive fighter who knows his way around a ring. This is a tremendously hard fight for me, but one I wanted. I’ve been training very hard.

“I don’t want people to like me; I want them to respect me. I want to fight the best. The big winners on Nov. 10 will be the fans.

“I’d like to thank everyone responsible for making it happen. I look forward to defending my title and giving it all I have.”

ANSELMO “CHEMITO” MORENO

“After I beat Vic Darchinyan (Dec. 3, 2011, on SHOWTIME), I made a challenge to all the top fighters at 118 and 122. I got this offer and I took it. I am moving up to 122 pounds because that’s where the money and the big names are.

“I wanted a challenge at 122 pounds and this is a big one. This is a great opportunity. Abner Mares is a great champion. I’m looking forward to Nov. 10 and fighting a fellow champion of the world.

“After this fight I will sit down with my team to see what I want to do next – whether I want to stay at 122 or move back down to 118.”

LEO SANTA CRUZ

“I think people really started noticing me after my last fight against Morel (Sept. 15). I go places now and people recognize me more than ever before.

“It’s great to be fighting again so soon and I thank everyone involved for keeping me busy. I’ve been training really hard, and I think I’m getting better with each fight. It doesn’t matter who I fight because I train the same for all of them and will never underestimate any opponent.

“This will be my first fight at STAPLES so it is very exciting for me. I hope a lot of people come out.”

ALFRED “PERRO” ANGULO

“I really want to thank my lawyers, everybody really, who helped clear up all my visa issues so that I could fight again. Without them, there is no way I would be in L.A. today and getting ready for a fight.

“I also want to thank Golden Boy and SHOWTIME. I’m working now with Virgil Hunter and will be very prepared to go at it on Nov. 10.

“It’s really great to be back in business, doing what I really want to do.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA

“I’m extremely proud to put this type of show together for the fans. We have a tremendous card once again, a quadruple-header that is showcasing some of the best fighters in the world. Whether you are at STAPLESCenter on Nov. 10 or watching on SHOWTIME, this will be an exciting night of boxing.

“I’d like to thank everyone responsible for making this event a reality, especially those at STAPLESCenter and Stephen Espinoza of SHOWTIME.

WBC SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION ABNER MARES TO DEFEND HIS TITLE AGAINST WBA BANTAMWEIGHT SUPER WORLD CHAMPION ANSELMO MORENO ON NOVEMBER 10 AT STAPLES CENTER IN LOS ANGELES

LOS ANGELES, October 2 – Sporting a combined record of 57-1-2 with 25 knockouts with three world championships in two weight classes, WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Abner Mares and former WBA Bantamweight Super Champion Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno prove that great fighters come in small packages. On Saturday, November 10 the fight true boxing fans have been waiting for is here, as Mares looks to defend his crown against a hungry Moreno who is stepping up in weight class in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif.

Also featured will be IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz defending his title against opponent to be determined in a 12-round bout as well as Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo and Raul Casarez squaring off in a 12-round junior middleweight battle.

“I feel faster and stronger at 122 pounds and now that I’m used to this weight class, I’m going to be more dangerous than ever for anyone who steps in the ring with me,” said Mares. “I love this fight with Moreno. I’ve got a lot of respect for him, but I know I’ll get the win on November 10 with the help of my hometown fans in Los Angeles.”

“I’d like to thank Mares for taking this fight as this is the type of moment every fighter waits for and dreams about,” said Moreno. “I’m ready to show the world what I can do. I promise my fans that I will put on a great show like always and leave the ring with the belt.”

“You always hear boxers saying that they want to fight the best competition,” said Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya. “Mares and Moreno are not just talking the talk, they are walking the walk. These two are the best of the best and to see them in the ring together on November 10 is going to be a special night for the sport. We are continuing our promise to put on the best fight cards top to bottom and with Mares-Moreno, bantamweight champ Leo Santa Cruz defending his title and the highly anticipated return of Alfredo Angulo in a brawl against Raul Casarez, fans will be on their feet cheering all night long.”

“STAPLES Center is incredibly excited to host this much anticipated fight between Mares and Moreno,” Lee Zeidman, STAPLES Center General Manager. “Los Angeles is home to true boxing fans and this fight will definitely be one they will not want to miss.”

“This fall, with world-class championship fights from marquee venues around the country, we have assembled perhaps the strongest SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING run in our 25 year history,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “With upcoming fights at the Barclay’s Center and Madison Square Garden, this telecast from STAPLES Center solidifies the network’s commitment to premiere boxing. Abner Mares has come of age on this network as he has consistently challenged himself against the toughest men in his division. November 10 will be no different, as Abner takes on one of the most skilled fighters in boxing, the current bantamweight world champion, Anselmo Moreno. I expect an explosive fight to cap off yet another big night of fights on SHOWTIME.”

“I’m looking forward to defending my title in front of my hometown fans,” said Santa Cruz. “It’s always very motivating to have my friends and family support me and I’m excited for November 10.”

“It’s very exciting to have my comeback fight in my second home of Los Angeles,” said Angulo. “I have been working really hard to give the fans a good show like they are used to because I am here thanks to their support. ‘El Perro’ is back!

“This is the opportunity I have been looking for and I will train hard to make the best of it,” said Casarez.

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale now and available for purchase at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000 or at the STAPLES Center Box Office.

A representative of the 2004 Mexican Olympic team, Guadalajara native Abner Mares (24-0-1, 13 KO’s) now makes his home in the Los Angeles area in Hawaiian Gardens, where he has become one of the most popular fighters to emerge from the area in years. That’s no surprise given his affable personality, willingness to take on all comers and warrior-like style in the ring, but most important to his fans is the character he’s shown in navigating the ups and downs of life in the fight game. In 2010, he began to make his move on the big-time boxing scene with a hard-fought and controversial draw against Yonnhy Perez and an exciting win over Vic Darchniyan. However, it was his win over Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko for the IBF Bantamweight World Title in August of 2011 that made him a champion and catapulted him into the spotlight. After a successful defense against Agbeko in their December 2011 rematch, the 26-year-old Mares won his second divisional world title in April with a 12-round victory over former Two-Time World Champion Eric “Little Hands Of Steel” Morel that earned him the WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship belt. He now looks to defend against another tough customer in Moreno.

Fighting out of Panama City, Panama, 27-year-old Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno (33-1-1, 12 KO’s) had been one of boxing’s best kept secrets for years, but the man with the amazing 27-fight winning streak is unknown no longer thanks to his remarkable skill set and willingness to fight anyone. A professional since 2003, Moreno won the WBA Bantamweight World Championship title in May of 2008 with a 12-round decision win over Volodymyr Sydorenko. After that, eight successful defenses followed before Moreno made his United States debut with another defense of his crown, this one a lopsided 12 round unanimous decision win over former World Champion Vic Darchinyan. Firmly established as one of the best young champions in boxing, Moreno stopped David De La Mora in nine rounds on April 21, 2012. Now he will step up in weight to challenge Mares in one of the biggest fights of 2012.

Coming off of a career-defining win over Eric Morel on September 15 in which he handed the former world champion his first ever knockout loss, IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz (21-0-1, 12 KO’s) of Lincoln Heights, Calif. will jump right back into the ring on November 10 eager to keep the momentum going. Just 24 years old, “Teremoto” went from prospect to champion in 2012, when he stopped veteran Alejandro Hernandez in January and then won his first world title in June with a dominant win over Vusi Malinga. Now with the fifth round stoppage over Morel under his belt, the sky’s the limit for this young Mexican-American phenom.

A devastating puncher with a pressure-filled style that has broken down many of the junior middleweight division’s top contenders, Alfredo Angulo’s (20-2, 17 KO’s) only goal left is to win world championship gold. Originally from Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, but now fighting out of Los Angeles, Calif., the 30-year-old contender has been chomping at the bit to return to the ring for the first time since his candidate for “Fight of the Year” war with James Kirkland in 2011. With the immigration issues that kept him out of the ring since that fight cleared up, he is ready to return and prepared to show that he still has the exciting form that saw him finish Joachim Alcine, Gabriel Rosado, Harry Joe Yorgey and Joel Julio.

Nicknamed “El Tigre” for his ferocious attacking style in the ring, Edinburg, Texas’ Raul Casarez (19-2, 9 KO’s) is unbeaten since 2006, and on November 10 he has the opportunity he has been waiting his entire career for, to fight on SHOWTIME against a highly-rated contender. For the 25-year-old, a win over Angulo will not only extend his 11-fight unbeaten streak, which includes a March win over J.C. Candelo, but it will place him among the top contenders in the division and put him on the fast track to a world title shot.

Mares to fight Moreno November 10th in Los Angeles

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com., Super Bantamweight title holder Abner Mares will take on Bantamweight titlist Anselmom Moreno on November 10th at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

“Once the Pacquiao fight definitively moved to Dec. 8, the Nov. 10 date became available, since there are no other fights scheduled on that date,” said Showrtmes Stephen Espinoza. “The Nov. 10 date works better for Showtime’s schedule, and it gives Abner an opportunity to fight in his own backyard. It also gives us more time to market and promote our telecast. We will have a highly competitive main event matchup between two of the top fighters in the lighter weight classes, as well as a very exciting undercard to be announced shortly.

“Best of all, we are able to avoid conflicting with another boxing event, since we have Nov. 10 free and clear.”

Mares to defend title against Moreno

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, 122 lb world champion Abner Mares will defend his title against classy Bantamweight champion Anselmo Moreno on October 27th in Anaheim, California.

The bout will be televised on Showtime

“I’m reviewing the contracts with my lawyer, but we are just making sure everything is in order,” said Moreno’s adviser Sampson Lewkowicz. “But the fight will definitely happen. The only way it doesn’t happen is if Mares changes his mind.

“Chemito Moreno has said he wants to fight Abner Mares all of the time — at 118, 122 or 126 pounds,” Lewkowicz said. “I believe there is nobody at 118 or 122 or 126 that can beat my fighter. It will be a very good fight but I think the difference between Abner Mares and Moreno is that Chemito Moreno requested to fight Abner Mares and Abner Mares took the fight because he basically had no choice. There was no one else acceptable in this moment to Showtime for him to fight other than Chemito Moreno.

“When I received the call we took this fight right away. For Mares and his manager (Frank Espinoza), they took a few weeks to make the decision. All of my fighters will take fights in a heartbeat. I prove that time after time. My fighters fight anyone. Sergio Martinez, Gabriel Campillo, Javier Fortuna and Chemito Moreno, all of them. We don’t need to talk too much. But he is very excited for this fight because he wants to fight the best. They say Mares is the best, so he wants to fight him.”

“Mares I think, without question, is one of the stars of the division and Moreno is one of the most skilled fighters in any division, and one of the underappreciated gems of the sport,” Showtime’s Stephen Espinoza said. “You put them together and there are bound to be fireworks.

“I have said I wanted to avoid date conflicts whenever possible,” Espinoza said. “It’s not always possible (such as on Sept. 15), but we’re trying to put our money where our mouth is, so when the opportunity came up to get a venue that made sense on Oct. 27, we immediately jumped on it to avoid the conflict, especially since the other fight (Donaire-Nishioka) was in the same division.”

Mares decisions Morel to claim Super Bantam crown

PASO, Texas (April 22, 2012) – Abner Mares has power, he has speed, and now he has a second world championship belt. Mares, the 26-year-old undefeated Mexican American from Hawaiian Gardens, Calif., by way of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, captured the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship with an emphatic victory over game veteran Eric Morel on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday night at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas.

In the co-feature, Anselmo Moreno, the slick and talented Panamanian world champion, cruised to victory over David de la Mora with a ninth-round technical knockout.

Mares, who recently vacated the IBF bantamweight title, brought considerable power up to 122 pounds and seemed to sacrifice none of his hand speed. Morel, 10 years Mares’ senior, is a veteran of nine world title fights and a former two-time world champion. Morel admitted coming into the fight that this could be his last shot at one of boxing’s crowns. The Puerto Rico native, now living and fighting out of Madison, Wisconsin, came to win, but Mares’ confidence and ability won the night.

Fighting aggressively for every minute of every round, Mares dominated from the early going with a damaging body attack. He moved fluidly from the body to the head, stunning Morel on several occasions.

What Morel gave up in age, he made up for in heart. Morel withstood the punishment dolled out by the younger Mares. He gave a valiant effort right through the final two rounds, making the 11th and 12th the two most exciting and competitive of the bout.

“If this is the last major fight of his career,” said Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein during the telecast, “and it very well could be, he has nothing to be ashamed of.”

The judges had it unanimously for Mares by scores of 120-107 and 119-109 twice. The young star improved his record to 24-0-1 (13 KO’s) and is looking for his next challenge – a fight with the super bantamweight division’s elite.

After the bout, a joyful Mares said the move up in weight was a good one for him. “I felt a lot stronger at this weight. I felt complete.

“I have to say Eric was very strong. I was surprised he withstood the pressure. He went out like a true champion. That last round was a great round for both of us.”

The modest champion continued, “I feel I still need to improve. I am still learning. Sometimes I make it brawl when I don’t have to, so there’s definitely more I can do.”

When asked if he had been 10 years younger tonight, Morel said, “The (age) doesn’t matter. He probably would have done the same thing. He’s a great fighter. He’s one of the best I’ve ever faced. I have nothing to be ashamed of. He put on a great performance. What else can I say?”

***

Classy southpaw Anselmo Moreno scored an eighth stoppage over David De La Mora to retain the WBA Bantamweight crown.

Moreno dominated the action as he dropped De La Mora in round’s two and six from body shots and De La Mora seemed disinterested as he found it almost impossible to hit Moreno in return and decided he had enough after the eighth.

Moreno is now 33-1-1 with twelve knockouts. De La Mora is now 24-2.

Unheralded Light Heavyweight Rowland Bryant scored a stunning third round stoppage over former three time world title challenger in a scheduled ten round bout.

Bryant landed some hard shots in the first round. Andrade was cut from a headbutt in round one. In round three, Bryant landed a right hand that rocked Andrade and then followed up with several consecutive ripping shots to the head and the fight was stopped at 2:19.

Bryant of Orlando, FL is now 16-1 with eleven knockouts. Andrade is now 30-5.

Luis Ramos Jr. scored a ten round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Daniel Attah in a Lightweight bout.

Ramos was more active with his combination punching where Attah landed some decent shots but they were one at a time. Ramos scored a knockdown in round three from a left to the top of the head.

Ramos won by scores of 100-89; 99-91; 99-91 and is now 22-0. Attah is now 26-10-1

Recent Golden Boy signee Francisco Vargas scored a third round stoppage over Rafael Lora in a Super Featherweight bout scheduled for six rounds.

Vargas battered Lora all over the ring in the third round until the fight was stopped at 2:27.

Vargas is 10-0-1 with eight knockouts. Lora is now 11-8.

FOLLOW MARES – MOREL LIVE!!!

Follow all the action LIVE as Abner Mares battles Eric Morel for the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight title. There also is a WBA Bantamweight title match between champion Anselmo Moreno & David de la Mora. The action begins at 7pm est featuring fights involving Luis Ramos Jr. & Librado Andrade

12 ROUNDS WBC SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE–ABNER MARES (23-0-1, 13 KO’S) VS ERIC MOREL (46-2, 23 KO’S)

Round 1 Morel Lands a right…Left hook from Mares..Mares starting to land more shots…10-9 Mares

Round 2 Mares lands a right that has Morel holding on…Looping right…uppercut from Morel…Upper cut and right hand from Mares..big right at the bell…20-18 Mares

Round 3 Mares lands an overhand right…Left hook…30-27 Mares

Round 4 Morel turns southpaw…Mares lands a double uppercut…Body shot..Morel lands a straight right…40-36 Mares

Round 5Mares jabbing…big right…uppercut from Morel…Double left hook and chopping right from Mares…50-45

Round 6 Mares lands a left…right…60-54

Round 7Mares working the body hard…70-63

Round 8

12 ROUNDS-WBA BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP–ANSELMO MORENO (32-1-1, 11 KO’S) VS DAVID DE LA MORA (24-1, 17 KO’S)

Round 1 Moreno lands a straight left..Good body shot drive De la Mora back to the ropes…10-9 Moreno

Round 2 Good straight left from Moreno…De La Mora running around the ring… Moreno lands a left…RIGHT TO TOP OF HEAD AND DOWN GOES DE LA MORA….Hard body shot from Moreno…20-17 Moreno

Round 3 Body shots from Moreno..Big shot that puts Moreno down but ruled a slip…30-26 Moreno

Round 4 Moreno lands a straight left and right hook…straight left..40-35 Moreno

Round 5Jab fromMoreno…50-44 Moreno

Round 6 Short uppercut and straight left to the body from Moreno…HARD STRAIGHT LEFT TO THE BODY AND DOWN GOES DE LA MORA…60-52 Moreno

Round 7 70-62

ROUND 8 Moreno lands a good left…80-71 Moreno—-FIGHT IS STOPPED…MORENO WINS BY TKO END OF 8

10 ROUNDS-LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS–LIBRADO ANDRADE (30-4, 23 KO’S) VS ROWLAND BRYANT (15-1, 10 KO’S)

ROUND 1 Bryant lands a left..left/body…solid right..body shot..good body shot…Andrade lands a upper cut…Bryant lands a uppercut…body shot..good right..10-9 Bryant…Andrade cut over left eye

Round 2 Bryant lands a right…Nice combo…Big left…Andrade lands a right..Body shot ..20-18 Bryant

Round 3Trading lefts…Guys each fall to the canvas…ruled a slip…Combination fromBryant…Hard right ROCKS ANDRADE…HE IS EATING NUMEROUS HARD SHOTS AND THE FIGHT IS STOPPED

10 ROUNDS LIGHTWEIGHTS–LUIS RAMOS JR. (21-0, 9 KO’S) VS DANIEL ATTAH (26-9-1, 9 KO’S)

ROUND 1 Ramos lands a body combination & left to the head…Counter right from Attah..More body work from Ramos..2 good rights…Attah lands a right…Good straight left/right combo..body shot..Right from Attah…10-9 Ramos Ramos outlands Attah 22 (17 body shots) to 5

Round 2 Counter right from Attah..Good combo from Ramos..trading rights…Head clash/no cuts..Ramos lands a combo on the ropes…20-18 Ramos

Round 3 Attah lands a quick right..Little SHOT INSIDE AND DOWN GOES ATTAH FROM A SHOT TO TOP OF HEAD…Right from Attah…2 good lefts from Ramos…30-26 Ramos

Round 4Good right from Ramos…Good right from Attah..double left from Ramos..Good right…Attah lands a left…40-35 Ramos

Round 5 Sharp right from Attah..Left from Ramos..50-45 Ramos

Round 6 Good right has Attah covering up…Ramos lands 2 more punches…Trading lefts..Good left from Attah…right..60-54 Ramos

Round 7Left from Attah..69-64 Ramos

Round 8 Ramos lands a nice combination…79-73 Ramos

Round 9 Chopping right from Attah…Ramos lands a nice combination..Attah lands 3 but Ramos comes back with 5…89-82 Ramos

Round 10 Good left from Attah…Right and left from Ramos…Right from Attah…Left on the ropes…6 punches from Ramos…3 more plus a good right..Attah lands a left…Good left from Attah…99-91 Ramos

LUIS RAMOS WINS BY UNANIMOUS DECISION 100-89;99-91; 99-91

VIDEO: SHOWTIME UPDATE FOR MARES – MOREL

Mares is in the right spot to be the next little guy with a big impact

The argument is that only a great American heavyweight can resurrect boxing in the United States. Good luck on that search. At the opposite end of the scale, however, there’s no debate. There’s reality. Given the Mexican and Mexican-American demographic at the heart of the game’s audience, the little guy is imperative. Abner Mares might be that guy, the latest in a line of little big men from 105 to 126 pounds who have helped sustain the business since Michael Carbajal and Humberto Gonzalez transformed it.

Mares carries a sense of poise, smarts and skill with him when he steps through the ropes. There’s also accountability. There was never any hesitation in his decision to fight a rematch with Joseph Agbeko after a controversial victory marred by low blows. The pragmatist might have moved on. But that would have left a mess. Mares cleaned up the questions with a victory, a unanimous decision, in a December rematch that allowed him to take the next step, from bantamweight to super-bantam, against Eric Morel Saturday night in El Paso, Tex.

Mares is trying on a heavier weight with the hope of generating momentum for a date with Nonito Donaire. In a conference call, Mares talked about five super-bantamweights he’d like to fight.

“Victor Terrazas, Fernando Montiel, Rafael Marquez, Wilfredo Vazquez Jr., Jorge Arce, and the big name that is up there is, no doubt, Nonito Donaire,’’ Mares said.

Much depends on how Mares (23-0-1, 13 KOs) looks against an experienced, yet aging Morel (46-2, 23 KOs), who is 11-0 since two years in prison for sexual assault. The jury is still out on Donaire since he made the jump from 118 to 122 for a split decision over Vazquez in February. Donaire, who in October won a dull and dominant decision over Omar Narvaez in his last fight at 118, hasn’t followed up on his spectacular knockout of Fernando Montiel in 2011. Then, his second-round stoppage put him into the pound-for-pound debate. But his show-stopping power hasn’t been there since his left hook struck down Montiel like a lightning bolt.

“Definitely a great fighter,’’ said Mares, who knows about Donaire’s knockout ratio, 18 in 28 bouts. “But I don’t think he’s knocked out anybody at 122 yet.’’

He’s fought only one, so we’ll wait-and-see.

Mares has been there before. He’s going back to where he began. In his first 10 bouts as a pro, he was between 120 and 122 pounds for nine of them, winning six by stoppage and three by unanimous decision. He should be comfortable at 120, the catch-weight for Morel. If Donaire makes the adjustment, Mares-Donaire emerges as a possibility that could be among the biggest in the lightest divisions since Carbajal and Gonzales met at 108 in a 1993 Fight of the Year that awakened promoters to a market for smaller fighters at a time when heavyweights were vanishing, or at least going Euro.

Top Rank-versus-Golden Boy stands in the way, if the promotional feud continues and, yawn, everything seems to say that it will, ad nauseam. Donaire is a Top Rank fighter; Mares is Golden Boy. Then there’s history. Even at the lightest weights, some fights never happen. Carbajal never fought Ricardo Lopez; Lopez never fought Gonzalez. But Mares is smart to foresee the rich possibility. Smart to talk about it, too. He’s taking care of business. Too many would kick a potential biggie down the road by saying they’d leave that job up to their promoters. But they forget that the promoters work for them, not the other way around.

Mares seems to know what he wants and, thus far, he has shown that he’ll do what he has to. The promotional fracas, a cold war without apparent end, is suffocating possibilities. Maybe, it’s too much to ask Mares for help. Then again, it wouldn’t be the first time a little guy has helped boxing recreate itself. They know how to fight their way out of tight places.

PROSPECT JR.
Jose Benavidez Jr.’s 15-year-old brother, David, will appear in an amateur bout on an Iron Boy Promotions card at Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix Saturday night. A sign of Arizona’s interest in anything Benavidez was evident Tuesday at an open workout at Central Boxing in downtown Phoenix. The place was jammed for a glimpse at a fighter who might be the state’s next prospect.

At 190 pounds, David is bigger than his celebrated brother, an unbeaten junior-welterweight who is back in the gym and working to rehab his right wrist since undergoing surgery.

“He’s more of inside fighter than I am,’’ said Jose Jr., who says his wrist is about 45 percent healthy. “Basically, he has been boxing since he’s been about 3-years old. He’s always followed it. He watches it at home on television more than I do.’’

Yes, the brothers have sparred. But it hasn’t just been a sibling rivalry played out in the backyard or at the dinner table.

“No, we’ve sparred in the gym,’’ said the 19-year-old Jose, whose brother has sparred with Kelly Pavlik. “I wouldn’t go all out because he’s my little brother. But he tried to kill me. He was hitting me hard, hitting me low. I just had to grab him and talk some trash at him.’’

So what did he say?

“You know, just some brotherly love,’’ Jose Jr. said.

First bell is scheduled for 7 p.m. for a 10-fight card featuring Phoenix super-bantamweight Emilio Garcia (4-0-1) against Jesse Ruiz (0-1), also of Phoenix.

AZ NOTES
· Carbajal, of Phoenix, is scheduled to be a ringside Saturday night at Celebrity. Iron Boy Promotions plan to honor him for his Hall of Fame career.

· Former junior-middleweight champ Winky Wright (51-5-1, 20 KOs) began training in Phoenix a couple of weeks ago for his comeback attempt on June 2 against Peter Quillin (26-0. 20 KOs) in Oakland, Calif. Wright, 40, hasn’t fought since losing a decision to Paul Williams in March, 2009. He began his workouts at Athletes Performance, where well-known pros in all sports go for conditioning.

VIDEO: ABNER MARES LIFE OUTSIDE THE RING

SHOWTIME EXTREME® TO AIR LIVE PRELIMINARY BOUTS FROM APRIL 21 ABNER MARES VS. ERIC MOREL EVENT FROM UTEP'S DON HASKINS CENTER IN EL PASO, TEXAS

LOS ANGELES, April 17 – On Saturday, April 21, fight fans around the country will get the chance to see more of boxing’s stars as Golden Boy Promotions and SHOWTIME® are excited to announce that additional bouts from the undercard of the highly anticipated world championship showdown between former World Champs Abner Mares and Eric Morel, will be televised. SHOWTIME EXTREME® will televise preliminary fights live from UTEP’s Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas featuring longtime super middleweight contender Librado Andrade against once-beaten Floridian Rowland Bryant in a 10 round battle and 2008 Mexican Olympian Francisco Vargas introduces himself to SHOWTIME viewers with an eight round junior lightweight contest against New Jersey’s Rafael Lora. Also featured (time permitting) will be unbeaten junior middleweight phenom Chris Pearson.

Barry Tompkins will call the action on SHOWTIME EXTREME from ringside with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst.

Also, highly-regarded lightweight prospect Luis Ramos Jr. and local El Paso favorite Antonio Escalante are slated for non-televised action on the undercard.

“Mares vs. Morel: Battle on the Border” is a 12-round fight for the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship set for Saturday, April 21 at UTEP’s Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas. The co-featured fights will see Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno vs. David de la Mora in a 12-round fight for Moreno’s WBA Bantamweight Super Championship. The event is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The SHOWTIME Championship Boxing doubleheader airs live at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Just prior to the action on SHOWTIME, preliminary bouts will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets, priced at $25, $50, $75 and $150, are available for purchase at the UTEP Ticket Office, all Ticketmaster locations or by phone at (800) 745-3000. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, please call: (915) 747-5234.

Ultra-popular around the world for his fierce fighting style in the ring and his gentlemanly nature outside of it, Librado Andrade (30-4, 23 KO’s) has long been a top super middleweight contender, with exciting fights against Lucian Bute, Robert Stieglitz, Mikkel Kessler, Yusaf Mack and Eric Lucas to prove it. In search of his first world title, the 33-year-old from La Habra, California by way of Jesus del Monte, Guanajuato, Mexico is coming off of a third round technical knockout over Matt O’Brien for the WBC Continental Americas belt in August of 2011.

Looking to derail Andrade’s march towards a world championship is 32-year-old Florida native Rowland Bryant (15-1, 10 KO’s). A nine-year professional who knows the time is now to make his move, the hard-hitting Bryant has everything to gain with a win over the well-respected Andrade on April 21.

One of the newest additions to the Golden Boy Promotions roster, Mexico City’s Francisco Vargas (9-0-1, 7 KO’s) will battle Irvington, New Jersey’s Rafael Lora (11-7, 5 KO’s) in an eight-round junior lightweight fight. A 2008 Olympian for Mexico, the 27-year-old Vargas has knocked out his last six opponents, making him a tough hill to climb for any opponent.

Nicknamed “The Dominican Man,” 26-year-old Lora proudly represents his native Dominican Republic and with four first round knockouts on his record, one punch from him can change the direction of a fight immediately. A fearless battler who will take on all comers, Lora’s last six opponents, including World Champion Adrien Broner, had a combined 85-2 record.

A highly accomplished amateur with multiple titles and nearly 100 wins to his name, Chris “Sweet” Pearson (6-0, 3 KO’s) has started to take the professional game by storm with his incredible talent and exciting style. Just 21 years old, Pearson has scored two first round knockouts thus far in his young career and will jump right back into the ring for his third fight of 2012 in a four/six round junior middleweight fight against Phoenix’s Jose Martell (2-1-1, 2 KO’s).

23-year-old Luis Ramos Jr. (21-0, 9 KO’s) is well on his way to big things in the lightweight division as proven by his recent three-fight string of wins over Francisco Lorenzo (W8), David Rodela (KO5) and Raymundo Beltran (W10). Ramos will face an opponent to be named in a 10-round fight.

El Paso’s favorite fighting son Antonio Escalante (25-4, 17 KO’s) is 8-0 in his adopted hometown and the Juarez native has no intentions of seeing that run end on April 21. Escalante scored knockouts over Pipino Cuevas Jr. and Rynell Griffin in 2011 and the former NABO super bantamweight champion will be looking to make a statement at 130 pounds when he takes on Matamoros, Mexico’s Francisco Camacho (10-1, 3 KO’s) in an eight-round matchup.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/abnermares00, or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please visit http://sports.SHO.com, follow www.twitter.com/shosports, and visit www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

AS THE SNOW FLIES SNOWBOARDER HAS DOWNHILL DARING

Daily News (Los Angeles, CA) January 18, 1996 | Brett Pauly Daily News Staff Writer She pounds the slopes 150 times a year, but April Lawyer falls short of calling herself a snowboard bum. A half-pipe junkie, perhaps, but not a pauper. here smith goggles

“It’s a laid-back lifestyle, but I wouldn’t say I was a total bum,” said the down-to-earth professional snowboarder from Big Bear Lake. “I do have a lot of fun and it’s not very stressful, but I don’t want to say I’m poor. I rent a house. I have a car. And I don’t borrow money from my parents.” Actually, Lawyer is far richer than her bank account suggests.

Indeed, she is an unassuming queen among the throngs of snowboarders identified by baggy pants, oversized sweat shirts and duct-taped gloves – a very existence that would scream poverty if it weren’t for those expensive surfboards-turned-skis strapped to the soles of their feet.

Her royalty is defined by top finishes in international freestyle competitions, corporate sponsorships, a burgeoning celebrity and a paycheck that will allow her finally to save money instead of merely getting by.

“I’m having the best time of my life right now. My job is to go out there and promote myself and get photos taken and all that stuff,” said the 20-year-old former children’s ski instructor who crossed over to snowboarding three years ago because she found it far more diverse and challenging.

Lawyer, who signed with her first professional backer last year, marvels at the notion of getting paid to snowboard.

“My folks are actually really excited about it,” she said. “They say that as long as I’m young and I’m able to do what I can do and make money and have fun, I might as well; it won’t last forever.” A grab-the-bull-by-the-horns-kind of gal, Lawyer rarely backs down to a challenge. Her specialty on the women’s pro snowboarding circuit is the big-air competition. She won an exhibition event in Japan last year and has several local successes.

“I have a lot of guts,” Lawyer said. “I think what makes me stand out is that my fear factor is a little different. I’m not really scared of many things.

“For example, if there is a big jump that a lot of people don’t take, I usually will as long as I know I won’t kill myself. I think ambition is the big difference.” She can fly 50 feet and excels at 360s and method air – acrobatically grabbing and twisting the board.

Competitors also match skills with her in the half-pipe event (freestyle maneuvers performed in a shell of snow), slope-style (tricks delivered over a series of jumps) and boarder-cross (a first-to-the-finish obstacle course in which five racers scramble around flags, berms and each other).

She will defend her big-air title next month in Japan during a three-week sojourn that will include filming a snowboarding movie and promoting the products of her sponsors – Hub snowboards, Airwalk boots, Bombshell clothing, Smith goggles and GMC gloves. Similar stops in Lake Tahoe and Colorado are slated before and after the overseas excursion.

Lawyer, who has called the San Bernardino Mountains home since age 3 and resides a stone’s throw from Snow Summit, is a quick learner brimming with natural talent. Last year, for instance, she took up mountain biking, then began competing and climbed the tour ranks from beginner to expert. She will be racing as a pro this year. website smith goggles

It’s not all speed and derring-do for Lawyer, however. She does have her mellow moments – painting watercolors, riding horses and disco dancing.

And though she is becoming more recognizable with each sideways tail grab, this poster girl for product catalogs, magazine ads and greeting cards remains unaffected and sincere.

“I’m definitely not different,” said Lawyer, who hopes to pursue management work in the snowboard industry. “People have known me for a lot of years living up here, and they know it hasn’t changed me. Every morning I get up to go snowboarding, the thrill is still in me.” It’s an excitement that will no doubt contribute to a canvas that has seen only the first of several promising brush strokes.

Brett Pauly Daily News Staff Writer

VIDEO: ABNER MARES FEATURE

ABNER MARES VS. ERIC MOREL SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT CLASH HEADLINES SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING ON APRIL 21 WHEN WORLD CLASS PROFESSIONAL BOXING RETURNS TO EL PASO, TEXAS AT DON HASKINS CENTER

LOS ANGELES, March 15 – In 2011, former Mexican Olympian Abner Mares left his mark on the professional boxing world by winning and defending his first world championship at bantamweight against former World Champion Joseph King Kong Agbeko. Now, on Saturday, April 21, Mares will begin his quest for a world title in a second weight class as he moves up in weight to take on former World Champion Eric “Little Hands of Steel” Morel of Puerto Rico, in a 12-round bout to be contested at 120 pounds at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas which will be televised live on SHOWTIME®.

“Mares vs. Morel: Battle on the Border” is a 12-round super bantamweight fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast airs live at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Just prior to the action on SHOWTIME, preliminary bouts will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® beginning at 7 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets, priced at $25, $50, $75 and $150, go on sale on Saturday, March 17, at 10 a.m. MT and may be purchased at the UTEP Ticket Office, all Ticketmaster locations or by phone at (800) 745-3000. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, please call (915) 747-5234.

Unbeaten in 24 fights, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico native Abner Mares (23-0-1, 13 KO’s) first made his name as a member of Mexico’s 2004 Olympic team, but he didn’t truly show off his amazing talent until he began fighting the top professional bantamweights in the world. Mares fought to a controversial draw with Yonnhy Perez in his first world title fight in 2010, and after decisioning Vic Darchinyan for the WBC Silver Bantamweight title later that year, he set the stage for his IBF Bantamweight World Title winning effort against Joseph King Kong Agbeko in August of 2011 to win SHOWTIME’s Bantamweight Tournament. In his most recent fight on December 3, 2011, Mares repeated his win over Agbeko, successfully defending his crown. Now it’s time for the 26-year-old Mares to seek out new challenges as he moves up to super bantamweight.

San Juan, Puerto Rico’s Eric “Little Hands of Steel” Morel (46-2, 23 KO’s) has defied the odds in recent years, showing that a fighter over 30 can not only compete with the best, but also beat the best. Now 36 years young, the longtime former Flyweight World Champion has been taking out all comers, winning 11 straight since his last defeat to Martin Castillo in 2005. Among his list of vanquished foes are Heriberto Ruiz, Luis Maldonado and Gerry Penalosa, who he defeated for the WBO Interim Bantamweight World title in 2010. On April 21, the former Two-Time World Champion will attack the unbeaten Mares with skill and experience in an effort to hand him his first professional defeat.

More information about a press conference which will take place, Tuesday, March 20 at the Don Haskins Center will be announced shortly. For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/abnermares00 or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing. Знакомства

Mares drops 118 lb title to move up to 122 lbs on April 21st on Showtime

Abner Mares relinquished his IBF Bantamweight title rather then face mandatory challenger Vusi Malinga and will abandon the division in order to compete at Super Bantamweight according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“The whole team came to a decision to give up the title when we sat down and talked with Richard (Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions) and the staff,” Mares told ESPN.com on Wednesday. “The IBF ordered the mandatory against Malinga and the team asked me, ‘What do you think?’ We knew TV didn’t want the fight because the guy is not known and I didn’t really want to go back fighting on a smaller show.

“I’m in a great position and I want to continue to fight the best. So no disrespect to Malinga, but I just feel there’s more fights at 122 pounds, and I am struggling to make 118 anyway, so why not move up to 122 and fight the best up there?”

“(The IBF was) forcing the South African guy and there was no interest here in the fight,” Schaefer said. “The money is not there. You have to decide if you want to go for the title or the money. Abner has a big name and a good following and we have Televisa in Mexico interested in him and Showtime.

“Every fighter wants to have a belt and be called a world champion, but they have to make a living as well, and that was important to him — to do a fight commercially more viable than fighting a South African mandatory

Mares is scheduled to return April 21 on Showtime in a fight that is supposed to take place in Mexico City. Although Mares (23-0-1, 13 KOs) grew up in Southern California and lives in Lakewood, Calif., he was born in Mexico and has wanted to fight there.

“I’m really excited and thrilled that I can fight in Mexico City,” Mares said, adding that he would head to Mexico in the next week or so to train there in order to get used to the altitude. “What I told (manager Frank) Espinoza and my team is that even though I can make 118, I would rather have this April 21 fight be my debut at 122.”

“I think it’s just the way the business goes,” Mares said. “I did fight the best at 118. I fought four tough opponents back to back and I don’t think anyone could take that away from me. It’s the right decision to fight at 122 now.”

“I have no problem moving up and fighting the best fighters at 122,” he said. “This is the best decision we could have made. There’s no use for us to fight at 118 for this next fight. I don’t want to struggle making 118 anymore. Why kill myself to make 118?”

Mares does not yet have an opponent for the April 21 bout but he said Golden Boy has brought up three names: former flyweight and interim bantamweight titlist Eric Morel (46-2, 33 KOs) of Puerto Rico; former junior bantamweight champion Cristian Mijares (44-6-2, 20 KOs) of Mexico, who has been fighting at junior featherweight; and junior featherweight contender Victor Terrazas (32-2-1, 18 KOs) of Mexico, who is coming off an upset decision win against former bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel in November.

Schaefer said Mares probably would face Morel.

“It will be a classic Mexico versus Puerto Rico rivalry fight and it’s a fight that means more to Abner than fighting the South African,” Schaefer said.

VIDEO: MARES – AGBEKO II PREVIEW

VIDEO: AGBEKO – MARES REVIEW

Mares – Agbeko rematch set for December 3rd

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that a rematch of one of the more controversial bouts between IBF Bantamweight champion Abner and former champ Joseph Agbeko will take place December 3rd at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California and will be telecast live on Showtime.

The first fight was marred in controversy after referee Russell Mora missed in upwards of twenty low blows committed by Mares and one of those resulted in a knockdown which helped Mares eek out a majority decision earlier this Summer.

In the co-deature, Bantamweight titlist Anselmo Moreno will make his Golden Boy Promotions debut when he takes on former world champion Vic Darchinyan.

“We have finalized it,” said Golden Boy’s Richard Schaefer. “I’m thrilled about it. It’s a much-anticipated rematch.”

Vinny Scolpino, Agbeko’s manager, said they were just pleased to get the deal done and get a another chance against Mares.

“I think Joseph goes back in there and beats Mares. He knows what he did wrong the first time and I think he’ll take the title home,” Scolpino said. “This is a great opportunity. I’m glad Showtime stepped up to the plate and made it happen. They needed to get some extra money for their budget, but they did the right thing. I’m happy that Joseph gets another opportunity to get his belt back. That’s the bottom line, whatever happened in the first fight.”

“I really think when it comes to this weight class that this is Abner Mares’ time,” Schaefer said. “When you watch him and how he has developed the last year or so, he has really developed into a top bantamweight. The first time he beat Agbeko it wasn’t a fluke. He will confirm that and remain world champion in an impressive manner. That is what I expect from him. This is his time.”

“Abner is looking forward to clearing up any doubt that took place in the first fight,” Frank Espinoza, Mares’ manager, said. “It’s the right call for Abner and the right call for Agbeko. It’s the right thing. Golden Boy and Team Mares just want to clear up any doubts in the rematch. Abner is excited and looking forward to starting training on Monday. These guys are both warriors. They will give a great fight again and please the fans.”

“Dec. 3 was the only date we had to work with so it is what it is, but this is a much-talked about rematch, especially in Los Angeles, and it will be a much covered event. The fact is that the first fight did well on Showtime and we think it will do well again. It is an event that stands on its own. In today’s day and age, with the economy the way it is, I think that it is going to be a welcome gift from Showtime to boxing fans that they can see it without having to pull out their wallet.”

“Moreno and Darchinyan, that’s another interesting fight,” Schaefer said. “You have two really exciting bantamweight fights on the same night, so I think it will do extremely well.”

A known ref is a bad ref, but where was Agbeko when he needed to retaliate?

Referees know they have done a good job if nobody remembers their name. Poor Russell Mora. Mora lost his anonymity and gained some infamy for his work, or lack of it, in Abner Mares’ majority decision over Joseph Agbeko.

By now, the controversy has been played and re-played, analyzed and re-analyzed, ad infinitum in the days since Mares threw repeated low blows, was warned five times, yet never penalized by Mora, the fight’s biggest loser Saturday at Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Another review of the tarnished fight for the International Boxing Federation’s title in Showtime’s bantamweight tournament would be just another low blow.

But I couldn’t help but wonder, perhaps marvel, at the relative lack of controversy about referees in a sport full of noisy arguments about virtually everything else. Other than a cop on streets that might as well be the front lines in a tough neighborhood, there can’t be a job much more challenging than that of a fight referee. Controlled violence is an oxymoron if there ever was one. But even anarchy has rules, and it’s up to the referee to enforce them. Mora didn’t.

In an internet court full of opinion and not much accountability, Mora has been charged with incompetence, bias and a whole raft of other misdeeds. Take your pick. But it is a multiple-choice question without a proven answer. There are plenty of other questions

For one, there was no response from Agbeko when it was clear that the rules would not be enforced. Retaliation for an uncalled low-blow is about as fundamental as a jab. If Agbeko had thrown just one, he might have been able to restore order and his chances. He didn’t.

I can only wonder what he and his corner were doing, or not doing, while Mora repeatedly missed the obvious. It also makes me wonder whether no response from Agbeko is a flaw that would lead to another loss if a rematch within 120 days, as ordered by the IBF, in fact happens. On Anarchy Street, it is always wise to be skeptical about whether any order will ever be carried out.

Curious, too, is the absence of pre-fight controversy that actually might have helped avoid the Mora flap. Yahoo’s Kevin Iole reported Monday that Dana Jamison, operations director for Agbeko promoter Don King, objected to Mora. According to Iole’s story, King said he got a call from somebody who told him that Mora was “a Golden Boy referee.’’ Mares is a Golden Boy Promotions fighter. The Nevada State Athletic Commission reportedly heard the complaint, but did not assign a different ref.

Would Mora have acted differently if news of Jamison’s objection had been disclosed? Maybe not. But I can’t help but recall Bernard Hopkins well-publicized threat to withdraw from his 2007 rematch with Robert Allen in tuneup for is victory over Oscar De La Hoya, now Golden Boy’s president. Hopkins objected to the assignment of referee Joe Cortez, arguing that Cortez might have bias against him. Hopkins was worried that Cortez, a Puerto Rican, might have grudge against Hopkins, who ripped Puerto Rico before his upset of Felix Trinidad in 2001.

Hopkins, now a Golden Boy fighter, has never been afraid of throwing the race card. And, yeah, he’s also never been shy about grandstanding. The fight went off with Cortez as the ref. Cortez’ work was never an issue. Hopkins was a much better fighter than Allen and proved throughout every round of unanimous decision.

Had the fight been close, however, Hopkins’ objection might have served as some insurance against any chance that Cortez would have swung the scorecards in favor of Allen. As only he can, Hopkins broadcast his concerns to the court of public opinion, meaning fans and state regulators were watching Cortez’ every move.

None of this is to say that Nevada or any other state commission should seek approval from camps about a ref’s assignment. That would open the proverbial Pandora’s Box to a whole host of suspicions about influence peddling. But it is in the best interest for a promoter, manager, trainer or the fighter himself to make their objections know before, not after, opening bell.

Quotes, anecdotes
· Despite his surprising performance against Marcos Maidana in April, Erik Morales, a loser in five of his last eight fights, still had to defend himself in a conference call Wednesday that also included his next opponent, Lucas Matthysse, on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather Jr.-versus-Victor Ortiz on Sept. 17 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand. Morales was asked: Why still fight? “Not only can I say it; I can do it’’ said Morales, who has been at it for nearly two decades. “I also love proving people wrong.’’

· Matthysse, an Argentine, returns to the United States after suffering two controversial losses by split decision in the U.S. – Zab Judah in New Jersey and Devon Alexander in Missouri. “Everybody knows that those two losses were bad decisions,’’ he said. “I was robbed in those fights.’’

AZ Notes
· Just guessing, but Jesus Gonzales’ chances at fighting Kelly Pavlik might have improved after Pavlik angered Top Rank by abruptly withdrawing from his last bout in frustration over a proposed purse against Lucian Bute. Before long, Pavlik might have to turn to Gonzales to get a fight. There were reports about slow ticket sales among Pavlik’s disaffected fan base in Youngstown, Ohio. Pavlik-Gonzales might be a better draw in Phoenix, where Gonzales is still popular.

· Former World Boxing Organization heavyweight champ Sergei Liakhovich (25-3, 16 KOs), a Scottsdale resident, packs his bags for Germany Saturday for a fight at saving his career on Aug. 27 against Robert Helenius (15-0, 10 KOs) in a bout televised by EPIX. Liakhovich is back with trainer Kenny Weldon, who was with him when he won the WBO title against Lamon Brewster and lost it to Shannon Briggs in the last second of the last round of his first defense. “Kenny and I are on the same page,’’ Liakhovich said.