By Salvador Rodriguez

A rematch between Abner Mares (26-1-1, 14KOs) and Jhonny Gonzalez (55-8, 47KOs) is now not going to happen - at least not in the first half of 2014. Last August, Gonzalez pulled off a big upset with a first round stoppage of Mares to capture the WBC featherweight title.

Mares has a rematch clause and exercised that option. The fight was scheduled for February 14th, but then Mares withdrew with a rib injury suffered in sparring.

Gonzalez does not want to sit around waiting and plans to defend his title on March 29th at Zocalo in Mexico City, while Mares indicates that he will return on May 3rd as part of the Floyd Mayweather Jr. pay-per-view undercard at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

"We're not going to fight again, it seems that he's going to fight in March and does not want to wait until May, and I do not want to risk getting hurt again [by returning before the injury fully heals]. I understand his decision, but my health comes first. I can not fight yet and everything seems like its heading to May. Thank God my promoter supports me, and has good options for me. I already have two potential opponents [for May], but I can not give you any names because there are many things that have to be sorted out, but I can assure that I'm going to put on a great show in my next fight," Mares said.