Abner Mares was in a position to draw in the return fight from his hometown.
The 2004 Mexican Olympian and former three-division champion was unable to secure a victory in his first fight in as many years, fighting to a majority draw with Miguel Flores. Judge Rudy Barragan (96-94) had Mares ahead, overruled by judges Patrick Russell (95-95) and Zachary Young (95-95) who scored the lightweight bout even after ten rounds in their non-main event. from Fox Sports Pay-Per-View. Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Mares had not fought since a repeat loss to Leo Santa Cruz in their WBA featherweight title rematch in June 2018. The Guadalajara native, who fights out of nearby Hawaiian Gardens, California, was due to challenge the then-undefeated WBA junior lightweight champion Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis in February 2019, but was forced to withdraw after suffering a detached retina.
The injury and subsequent surgery were the starting point of a layoff of more than four years, as the 36-year-old had to undergo a series of medical tests before receiving a clean bill of health required to return to the ring.
Flores’ only concern was conquering a former three-division champion, not accepting the idea that he was facing a damaged fighter. There was a theory that Flores was a safe pick for Mares, just two fights away from a brutal knockout loss to Eduardo Ramirez (who faces Isaac Cruz later tonight) and that he is a fringe contender at the moment.
Mares held his ground in the first round, fighting at the heaviest 134.2 pounds of his career, but looking good at the weight. He consistently outboxed Flores, landing right hands at the end of one-two combinations. Flores briefly threw Mares off balance with a left hook and came out with an overhand right to connect with a right uppercut.
Both fighters dropped their hands in high contact in the second round. Mares landed a flurry of power shots, briefly rocking Flores with his right hand during that sequence. Flores again landed two rights to the chin of Mares, who took shots well and immediately got his momentum back. Flores was rocked by an overhand right and again with a counter left hook later in the round as he attempted a left hook of his own.
The action slowed down in the third round. Mares offered much more movement, provoking Flores, who chased the veteran boxer around the ring. Flores worked behind his jab, hoping to catch Mares with a right hand, but unable to pin his well-reputed foe.
The same pattern continued in the fourth round, although Flores was able to enjoy the success of the last round. The 30-year-old from Greater Houston landed several body shots in the second half of the round, though his momentum stalled when a left hook landed well below the belt that provided Mares with a brief break in the action. .
The momentum remained with Flores in the fifth round, who enjoyed success with his jab that he used to work his way inside. Mares briefly turned the tide with an overhand right hand while he was trapped on the ropes at the last minute. Flores took the shot well, landing a double jab but was forced to take a counter left hook just before the bell.
Mares picked his spots during the second half of the fight, wisely preserving his energy. Flores was the busier fighter, forcing an internal fight that Mares wisely held onto to slow down the action. Flores outboxed Mares in the seventh round, including a long right hand that went through Mares’ guard and to his chin.
Standout trainer Bobby Benton urged Flores to take the last two rounds, noticing that Mares was drastically slowing down. Flores (25-4-1, 12KOs) heeded the advice, closing strong down the stretch as Mares could offer nothing but movement as he seemed exhausted.
The two embraced at the end of the fight, with moments of nervousness in both corners as they waited for scorecards.
Whatever happens next for Mares, Sunday’s fight was preceded by an incredible run worthy of at least Hall of Fame consideration. His record moves to 31-3-2 (15KOs), though a tough conversation will have to come up about whether he is allowed to continue fighting. The former bantamweight, junior featherweight and featherweight champion hasn’t won since October 2017, though he offered a believable enough account of himself that allows him to head into the sunset with his hand up, if he chooses to do so.
Mares-Flores aired as part of a four-fight pay-per-view. Headlining the show, former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz (34-2, 22KOs) takes on two-time title challenger Luis Ortiz (33-2, 28KOs) in a scheduled twelve-round WBC heavyweight semifinal eliminator. .
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
