Golden Boy Boxing: Abner Mares Re-signs Promotional Contract

A top ten contender in the ratings of all four major sanctioning bodies, bantamweight star Abner Mares is gearing up for his first world title shot in 2010 and on Tuesday, signed a new promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions for five years, continuing the relationship that has led him to near the top of the boxing world.

“Golden Boy Promotions is like a family to me and I’ve felt that way ever since I signed with them and now I’m ready for my shot at a world title,” said Mares, a 2004 Olympian for Mexico who signed his new contract at the Golden Boy Promotions offices in Los Angeles yesterday afternoon.

“It’s been a great journey watching Abner go from raw prospect to legitimate contender over the last few years and I can’t wait to see him take the next step and win a world title,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “The plan for now is to put him in a WBC world title elimination bout in early 2010 and then it’s off to a world championship bout.”

“Golden Boy and Abner have been a spectacular team over the years and we’re going to keep that streak going,” said Frank Espinoza, Mares’ manager. “The saying goes, ‘if it’s not broke, don’t fix it’, and that’s the way we feel. This is a winning combination and we’re very happy to extend Abner’s contract with the Golden Boy team.”

The 23-year old Mares (19-0, 12 KO’s) is currently ranked second in the world by the WBC, third by the IBF, fourth by the WBO and sixth by the WBA. In his last bout, on August 27, Mares knocked out Carlos Fulgencio in the sixth round.