Abner Mares to face Fernando Montiel on March 12

Former three-division world champion and local favorite Abner Mares (29-2-1, 15 KOs) will make his return to the ring following his recent decision loss to Leo Santa Cruz when he takes on fellow three-division ex-champion Fernando Montiel (54-5-2, 39 KOs) on Saturday, March 12, live on CBS at 5:30 p.m. PT from the Mohegan Sun Casino Resort in Connecticut. Other outlets have reported that the matchup will be a featherweight bout.

The co-feature bout will precede the main event between elite welterweights Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter, and will be part of the first primetime boxing presentation on CBS in nearly 40 years.

“I’m ready to get back in the ring and have the boxing world see the monster that the Mares and Robert Garcia partnership is creating,” said Abner Mares. “I’m a tough fighter. I’ve made some adjustments and I will show my warrior spirit and skill on March 12. It’s time to go to work.”

Mares, 30, compiled a staggering resume over the past five years while earning titles at 118, 122, and 126 pounds.  Mares won his first title in 2011 when he beat Joseph Agbeko to win the bantamweight crown. The always-exciting Mares will enter the ring for the first time under the tutelage of renowned trainer Robert Garcia, as he looks to work his way towards another world title.

Montiel, 36, is one of the most skilled boxers of his generation having won championships at 112, 115, and 118 pounds over a 17-year career.

“I have been wanting to fight Abner Mares for many years,” said Montiel. “They say that styles make fights and Abner Mares’ style is tailor made for me. My last fight was a close decision against one of the best featherweights in the world in Lee Selby. I need to make every fight count and on March 12 Abner Mares will be my next step to another world title!”

The veteran Montiel won his first world title in 2000 over Isidro Garcia and went on to have title-winning performances over Pedro Alzacar, Ivan Hernandez, Z Gorres, Ciso Morales and Hozumi Hasegawa.  Born in Sinaloa, Mexico, Montiel rode an eight-fight win streak heading into his October world title shot against Lee Selby.

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services