By Miguel Maravilla

WBA featherweight champion Jesus Cuellar (28-1, 21 KO’s) of Argentina is eager to get back in the ring as he will finally take on former three-division world champion Abner Mares (29-2-1, 15 KO’s) of Hawaiian Gardens, California by way of Gudalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Cuellar vs. Mares will take place on Saturday at the Galen Center on the campus of U.S.C live on Showtime Championship Boxing.

Photo: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

Jesus Cuellar told Fightnews.com “I’ve wanted to fight Mares for about two years. It’s finally going to happen. This is what I want. I’m going to make a statement,” Jesus Cuellar told Fightnews.com

The fight was originally scheduled to take place earlier this year in June at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Unfortunately for the Argentine, Mares suffered an eye injury and as a result the fight to be postponed.

“Well it’s finally here, we were supposed to fight earlier this year but the opportunity presented itself once again, we are ready for this fight,” Cuellar mentioned.

In preparation for Mares this will be Cuellar’s first camp under Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach as he spent the last few years under the guidance of another respected trainer Robert Garcia. Training at the world famous Wild Card Boxing Gym in Hollywood, California. Cuellar has been training in Southern California since January.

“The camp has gone well, I have trained really well. I have been in Los Angeles since January. We were having a solid camp for the original date but things happen for a reason. I will say this I have been working hard this entire year,” Cuellar on training camp.

Cuellar talked about training with Roach.

“This is my first fight with Freddie. We have worked for a total of four months. Freddie brings out the best in me and gives me the time. His assistants Marvin and Paulie are good trainers as well,” Cuellar said on working with Roach. “Freddie believes in me and he gives me confidence. He has taught me a lot of what he knows,” Cuellar added.

Having not been in the ring since December of 2015, Cuellar defeated Jonanthan Oquendo by unanimous decision in his last fight as the champ has been inactive for over a year.

“I have been active this whole time training. We were supposed to fight in June but that fight was postponed that is part of the reason why I haven’t fought. I have been looking for this fight,” Cuellar explained.

For Cuellar’s opponent, Abner Mares he has also been out for over a year as he lost a unanimous decision in a fight of the year candidate to Leo Santa Cruz in August of 2015.

“Abner is a great fighter. I am training hard because I know what he is about,” Cuellar said. “Mares is a great fighter. He’s been a champion for many years. He’s never faced an opponent like me. This will be his hardest challenge,” Cuellar added.

Mares will have Cuellar’s former trainer Robert Garcia in his corner as he guided the Argentine to his first world title. Cuellar talked about what it will be like going up against his former trainer.

“Robert is a good trainer I respect what he has done in the sport and I am grateful for what he has done for me. This time I am going up against his fighter,” Cuellar on Garcia.

Cuellar vs. Mares will be a scheduled 12 round championship bout as Cuellar will be defending his WBA World tile for the third time looking to make a statement against the former world champ.

“You will see the warrior that I am in the ring giving it all and I will knock him out,” Cuellar promised.