By Francisco Pimentel

Abner Mares, the WBA "regular" featherweight champion, revealed his plans for 2018, including the possibility of a rematch against the WBA 'super' champ Leo Santa Cruz, as well as the chance of enrolling in a tournament with the best featherweights of the world and other great rivals.

The native from Jalisco but settled in California is a 32 year old fighter and has a record of 31 wins, 15 of them by KO, 2 defeats and 1 draw.

Mares also gave his predictions for two of the most anticipated duels in the featherweight division, the one between Carl Frampton and Nonito Donaire, and the tentative one between Oscar Valdez and Scott Quigg in the first half of 2018.

What are your plans for 2018, has the WBA ordered a rematch with Leo Santa Cruz?

Abner: I want to keep on defending my current championship with the WBA, and then grab that super championship title Leo Santa Cruz has, I have the regular title and I want to establish myself as a solid champion in this division.

How close is the fight against Santa Cruz after two failed attempts?

Abner: That fight has already been talked over and confirmed, you could say, it only has not been finalized with some details. It is confirmed, it only needs the date and location. They told me sometime between March, April or May and for that I am preparing.

Is the Featherweight division one of the hottest in current boxing?

Abner: The featherweight do not lag behind other divisions. In fact, it has been rumored that a possible tournament will take place in this division, which wouldn’t be bad at all. I am happy in this division, I can face Leo Santa Cruz, Frampton, Óscar Valdez, Gary Russell, and any of them would pose a great fight.

Your predictions on Valdez-Quigg and Frampton-Donaire?

Abner: Óscar Valdez and Frampton should win their fights, but that doesn’t mean they will be easy outings given their opponent’s experience. Quigg is a great fighter who's been in several good fight and keeps going. In the case of Nonito, what can I say, he is a fighter with ups and downs but he is trying to establish himself and rise to the elite category and he can achieve it by defeating Frampton. They should not be overconfident.