Abner Mares, Fernando Montiel to clash in co-feature to Thurman-Porter on March 12

They might be past their best days, but former three-division champions Abner Mares and Fernando Montiel still give fans bang for their buck.

The action fighters will meet March 12 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., in the chief-support bout to the highly anticipated CBS prime-time welterweight title battle between Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter, it was announced Wednesday.

"I'm ready to get back in the ring and have the boxing world see the monster that the Mares and Robert Garcia partnership is creating," said Mares, who began working with the renowned trainer following the loss to Leo Santa Cruz. "I'm a tough fighter. I've made some adjustments and I will show my warrior spirit and skill on March 12 . It's time to go to work."

Mares (29-2-1, 15 KOs) won titles at 118, 122 and 126 pounds, and is still one of the best featherweights in the world, but he appears to be past his prime. The 30-year-old hasn't recorded a big win since a November 2012 defeat of Anselmo Moreno, and was knocked out by Jhonny Gonzalez in 2013.

The Mexican's fight with Santa Cruz was one of PBC's biggest events so far, but Mares came up on the short end in a fun fight.

Montiel, at 36 years old, is well past his prime, but proved in his last outing that he still has something left. He challenged IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby in October and pushed him to the brink in a decision defeat. The Mexican had won eight fights against limited opposition before that, and will be a decided underdog vs. Mares.

"I have been wanting to fight Abner Mares for many years," said Montiel (54-5-2, 39 KOs). "They say that styles make fights and Abner Mares' style is tailor made for me. My last fight was a close decision against one of the best featherweights in the world in Lee Selby. I need to make every fight count and on March 12 Abner Mares will be my next step to another world title!"

Said Lou DiBella, who is promoting the event involving two Al Haymon fighters: "Abner Mares and Fernando Montiel are both proud warriors. Both are coming off tough, competitive fights and both must win to once again realize championship dreams. This will be a throw down, entertaining battle."

(Photo of Mares, left, by Danny Moloshok, AP)