Unbeaten Mares out to end Morel comeback

Unbeaten Abner Mares steps up in weight Saturday in a bid to deny Eric Morel a long-awaited second world title when they fight for the vacant World Boxing Council super bantamweight belt in El Paso, Texas. The title was vacated by Japan's Toshiaki Nishioka after he couldn't get a fight with Filipino star Nonito Donaire. Mexico's Mares, 26, brings a record of 23-0 with one drawn and 13 knockouts. He moves up in weight after capturing the International Boxing Federation bantamweight crown with a victory over Joseph Agbeko in August of 2011, a title he retained in a rematch in December. Puerto Rico's Morel, 46-2 with 23 knockouts, has won 11 fights in a row since losing to Martin Castillo of Mexico for the World Boxing Association super flyweight title in 2005 after losing the same title in 2003. "If he wants to come back and try to win back the title, I'm ready to fight him," Mares said. At 36, Morel knows he cannot afford another setback in his bid to return to the world throne, but Mares said he wouldn't be taking the veteran lightly. "He has experience, but there is no way to prepare for that," Mares told Fightnews.com. "I've prepared myself to the best of my ability physically and mentally. What helps me is that I can adapt to any style so we hope to figure him out." Mares sees success at super bantamweight as a path to some potentially lucrative bouts, with Donaire, Wilfredo Vazquez, Cristian Mijares and Rafael Marquez potential opponents. "There are many great fights that can be made in this division," he said. Panama's Anselmo Moreno, 32-2 with one drawn and 11 knockouts, will defend his WBA bantamweight crown against Mexico's David de la Mora, 24-1 with 17 knockouts, on the same card. Southpaw Moreno, who has won 26 fights in a row over the past 9 1/2 years, will make his 10th defense of the crown he won in 2008.