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Jesus Cuellar eager to finally face Abner Mares

Fighters Network
05
Dec

Jesus Cuellar was scheduled to meet Abner Mares in Brooklyn, New York in June but a medical issue with Mares’ eye curtailed those plans. It was long believed the fight would be moved to a new date and after several months the attractive featherweight fight will finally happen on Saturday.

The bout takes place on Showtime (in the U.S.) as chief support to the Jermall Charlo-Julian Williams IBF junior middleweight title bout. The event takes place at USC’s Galen Center in Los Angeles (Showtime broadcast to start at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT).

The evenly poised contest pits Cuellar (28-1, 21 knockouts), a big-punching pressure fighter from Argentina, against the more seasoned, technically superior Mares (29-2-1, 15 KOs), who’s attempting to once again reach the top having lost a spirited decision to Leo Santa Cruz last August.



Cuellar is respectful but confident of turning back the biggest challenge of his career.

“He is a very good fighter, no doubts about it,” Cuellar told RingTV.com through his manager Sebastian Contursi. “He is definitely one of the best featherweights out there.

“That’s exactly why I’ve been trying to face him. Luckily, it came true. That’s why I am highly motivated because I want to prove myself as one of the really best.”

The 29-year-old who hails from Buenos Aires is keen to make the most of his opportunity.

“I will try to make a statement in this fight,” he said, “since a win over him would definitely open some big doors for me. It will definitely put me in a privileged position among boxing fans and media so I really have to take advantage of this chance.”

Cuellar, who openly admits making 126 pounds is tough, went straight into training camp after this fight was originally signed in mid-March. He started out in Argentina before flying to America and basing himself in Big Bear, California with his trainer Juan Ledesma, assistant Donald Leary and strength and conditioner Raul Robles.

Interestingly, adding an intriguing subplot, Mares is working with Cuellar’s former trainer Robert Garcia. Although Garcia prepared Cuellar for five fights, the Argentine southpaw isn’t bothered by having his former mentor in the opposing corner.

“I trust myself and my trainer so there are no concerns at all about Garcia being in the other corner,” he explained. “I’ve worked with Robert and I’m grateful to him, he is a great trainer. But I needed something different.

“There is no bad blood on my side yet it seems that’s not the case for Robert. But I don’t care because on Dec. 10 there will be only Mares and myself on the ring.”

 
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected] and you can follow him at www.twitter.com/AnsonWainwright

 

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