By Rick Reeno

BoxingScene.com has been advised that WBC super bantamweight champion Abner Mares (25-0-1, 13KOs) is vacating his title and moving up in weight to the featherweight division. Mares' decision comes on the eve of the WBC's order to face mandatory challenger Victor "Viking" Terrazas (36-2-1, 21KOs). A purse bid was scheduled for this coming Friday.

"I accomplished my dreams of winning titles at 118 and 122 pounds," said Mares in a statement to BoxingScene.com. "I'm ready to fight as a featherweight and to achieve one of my goals of being a world champion in three different divisions."

Mares had previously discussed the possibility of moving up in weight, but he was sticking around at 122-pounds in order to secure a unification with WBO champion Nonito Donaire. Golden Boy Promotions, who promote Mares, offered promotional rival Top Rank a sum of $3 million dollars for the services of Donaire. Golden Boy's contract terms were rejected and no counter-offer was given. Additionally, a deal is close to finalized for Donaire to face WBA champion Guillermo Rigondeaux on an HBO televised date of April 13th.

"We did all we could to make the fight against Donaire happen," added his manager Frank Espinoza. "It's time to move forward with Abner's career. He always said he wanted to be a champion in three divisions and we're going to do everything we can to make that a reality. At this point we have to keep Abner's career moving forward and upwards. That's what's important."