Wilfredo_Méndez

Wilfredo Méndez

Wilfredo Méndez

Puerto Rican boxer

Wilfredo Méndez (born 10 November 1996) is a Puerto Rican professional boxer who held the WBO mini flyweight title between August 2019 to December 2021.

Quick Facts Born, Nationality ...

As of September 2021, he was ranked as the fourth best strawweight in the world by TBRB and The Ring.[1][2]

Professional career

Early career

Méndez made his professional debut against Jean Carlos Molina on July 9, 2016. He won the fight by a second-right knockout. He won his next eight fights, amassing a professional record of 9-0 after his first two years as a professional.[3]

Méndez was scheduled to fight Leyman Benavides on March 17, 2018, for the vacant WBA Fedelatin mini flyweight title.[4] Benavides won the fight by unanimous decision.[5] Méndez rebounded from this loss with a unanimous decision victory against Yenrry Bermudez.[6]

Méndez was scheduled to fight Axel Aragon Vega on September 28, 2018, for the vacant WBO–NABO mini flyweight title.[7] Following a sixth-round knockout of Armando Vazquez in a non-title bout on March 8, 2019, Méndez was scheduled to defend his WBO-NABO title against Janiel Rivera on May 24, 2019.[8] He won the fight by split decision.

WBO mini flyweight champion

Méndez vs. Saludar

Méndez was scheduled to fight the reigning WBO mini-flyweight champion Vic Saludar on August 24, 2019.[9] The fight was Saludar's second title defense and the first time that Méndez fought for a world title.[10] Accordingly, Méndez came into the fight as the underdog to his more experienced opponent.[11] Saludar's coach Jojo Palacios was unable to secure a working visa, while Saludar's manager Kenneth Rondal was also unable to go, as his father underwent brain surgery recently. As such, Saludar came into the fight without his usual corner. Throughout the bout, Méndez utilized outfighting tactics to keep distance from the pressuring Saludar, who scored the only knockdown of the fight in round 3. Despite being knocked down early in the fight, Méndez would nonetheless go on to win the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 117–110, 115–112, 116–111.[12][13]

Méndez vs. Vega

Méndez was scheduled to make his first title defense against Axel Aragon Vega on October 26, 2019. It was a rematch of their September 28, 2018 fight, which Méndez won by unanimous decision. Vega was at the time ranked #15 in WBO mini-flyweight rankings.[14] Méndez utilized his significant reach and height advantage to keep control of the fight through the first three rounds, while Vega scored a knockdown in the fourth round. During the sixth round, Vega suffered a cut due to an accidental clash of heads. He was unable to continue at the start of the seventh round, which resulted in the bout going to a technical decision. Méndez won the fight by decision, with two of the judges scoring the fight 68-65 and 67–66 in his favor, while the third judge scored the fight 67-66 for Vega.[15]

Méndez vs. Mendoza

For his second title defense, Méndez was scheduled to fight Gabriel Mendoza on February 8, 2020, who was at the time the #3 ranked fighter in The Ring 105 mini-flyweight rankings.[16] Méndez dominated the fight, causing a cut above the right eye and a swelling on the forehead of Mendoza. He won the fight by a ninth-round technical knockout, as the referee judged Mendoza to have suffered too much damage throughout the bout.[17] Méndez was scheduled to make his third title defense against Alexis Díaz on December 16, 2020.[18] The bout was cancelled the day before the fight, after Méndez fell ill following the weigh-ins.[19] Mendez was next scheduled to face Carlos Buitrago on August 14, 2021, at the Hotel El Panama in Panama City, Panama.[20] Buitrago withdrew from the bout the day before the fight due to weight cut complications.[21]

Méndez vs. Taniguchi

On October 7, 2021, the WBO ordered Méndez to make his third mini-flyweight title defense against the mandatory challenger Masataka Taniguchi. The pair was given a ten-day negotiation period to come to terms regarding the fight.[22] As they were unable to come to terms, the fight was sent to a purse bid, with a minimum bid of $80,000. As no bids were placed, a second purse bid with a minimum of $40,000 was set for October 27.[23] The WBO announced on October 27, 2021, that a successful purse bid was held. Méndez would face Taniguchi on December 14, 2021, on the undercard of the Naoya Inoue and Aran Dipaen bantamweight title bout. The bout took would take place at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan.[24] Méndez lost the fight by an eleventh-round technical knockout. He suffered an early setback after being knocked down in the second round, and appeared to fall behind on the scorecards in the remaining rounds. After attempting to rally back in the tenth round, and briefly stunning Taniguchi, Méndez was finally stopped by a flurry of punches in the next round.[25]

Continued mini-flyweight career

Méndez was booked to face Kenny Cano in an eight-round mini-flyweight bout on April 8, 2022, at the Pabellon de Esgrima in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.[26] Prior to this fight, Méndez switched camps and began training with the former three-time WBO junior lightweight world champion Román Martínez.[27] He won the fight by a shutout unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the bout 60–53 in his favor.[28]

Méndez was expected to face Israel Vázquez on August 20, 2022, in the main event of "Sixt Boxing Nights". The bout was cancelled on August 14, after Méndez injured his knee in training.[29] Méndez was instead booked to face Moises Caro Gutierrez on November 4, 2022.[30] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with two scorecards of 97–91 and one scorecard of 99–89.[31]

Méndez was expected to face the unbeaten Oscar Collazo in a WBO mini-flyweight title eliminator on January 28, 2023. The fight was scheduled for the undercard of the Alexis Rocha and Anthony Young welterweight bout, which took place at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California.[32] Méndez withdrew from the fight on January 15, after suffering a back injury in training.[33]

Méndez is scheduled to face the undefeated Yudai Shigeoka for the interim WBC mini flyweight championship on April 16, 2023, at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. Méndez stepped in as a short-notice replacement for the champion Panya Pradabsri, who withdrew with a strep throat infection on April 4.[34] He lost the fight by a seventh-round knockout.[35]

Professional boxing record

More information 22 fights, 18 wins ...
More information No., Result ...

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "Rankings". tbrb.org. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  2. [2]
    "Ratings". ringtv.com. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  3. [3]
    Gaudier, Jonathan (23 December 2017). "Yenifel Vicente y Wilfredo Méndez obtienen campeonatos en la República Dominicana". boxeomundial.com. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  4. [4]
    Llavonal, Fernando Gaztambide (13 February 2018). "Wilfredo 'Bimbito' Méndez will fight for the WBA Fedelatin title". boxeomundial.com. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  5. [5]
    Pavón, Justin. "Leyman Benavides nuevo campeón Fedelatin AMB". vostv.com.ni. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  6. [6]
    Random Hits (28 July 2018). "Jeyvier Cintron, Luis Lebron Pick Up Wins in Colombia". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  7. [7]
    "THIS FRIDAY in Puerto Rico: Méndez-Aragón for Vacant WBO NABO Mini-Flyweight Belt". wboboxing.com. 26 September 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  8. [8]
    PR Best Boxing Promotions. "Wilfredo Méndez vs. Janiel Rivera this Friday". boxing247.com. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  9. [9]
    "Vic Saludar defends against Wilfredo Méndez this Saturday". boxing247.com. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  10. [10]
    Random Hits (24 July 2019). "Vic Saludar vs. Wilfredo Mendez WBO Title Clash on August 24". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  11. [11]
    "Vic Saludar and Wilfredo Mendez clash for WBO title!". asianboxing.info. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  12. [12]
    Songalia, Ryan (25 August 2019). "Wilfredo Mendez upsets Vic Saludar, wins WBO strawweight belt". ringtv.com. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  13. [13]
    Luarca, Roy (25 August 2019). "Saludar, sans trainer and manager, yields world title in Puerto Rico". rappler.com. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  14. [14]
    Jackson, Ron. "Mendez and Vega meet in a rematch for the WBO mini flyweight title". supersport.com. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  15. [15]
    "Méndez retains belt on a technical decision". supersport.com. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  16. [16]
    Wainwright, Anson (5 February 2020). "Wilfredo Mendez hopes for impressive win over Gabriel Mendoza, seeks 105-pound unification bouts". ringtv.com. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  17. [17]
    BoxingScene Staff (9 February 2020). "Wilfredo Mendez Retains WBO Title, Stops Gabriel Mendoza". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  18. [18]
    BoxingScene Staff (20 November 2020). "Wilfredo Mendez vs. Alexis Diaz WBO Title Clash Set For December 16". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  19. [19]
    O'Hara, Ryan (17 December 2020). "Wilfredo Mendez falls ill after weigh-in, title defense against Alexis Diaz canceled on day of fight". ringtv.com. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  20. [20]
    Daniels, Ralph. "Wilfredo Mendez Ready For Tough Fight With Carlos Buitrago on Ortiz-Kavaliauskas". dailyisports.info. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  21. [21]
    Donovan, Jake (12 August 2021). "Carlos Buitrago Unable To Make Weight, Title Fight With Wilfredo Mendez Pulled From Ortiz-Kavaliauskas". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  22. [22]
    Donovan, Jake (7 October 2021). "Wilfredo Mendez-Masataka Taniguchi: WBO Orders Mandatory Strawweight Title Fight". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  23. [23]
    Donovan, Jake (21 October 2021). "Mendez-Taniguchi: No Offers Submitted For Strawweight Title Fight, WBO Orders Second Purse Bid". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  24. [24]
    "谷口将隆 12・14尚弥とダブル世界戦 国技館開催に「やる気出た」". sponichi.co.jp. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  25. [25]
    "谷口将隆 12・14尚弥とダブル世界戦 国技館開催に「やる気出た」". sponichi.co.jp. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  26. [26]
    Salazar, Francisco (15 March 2022). "Wilfredo Mendez Returns To Action To Take On Kenny Cano On April 8". ringtv.com. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  27. [27]
    Rivera, Miguel (16 March 2022). "Wilfredo Mendez Working With Roman Martinez, Aims To Regain WBO Strap". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  28. [28]
    Bland, Garisson (9 April 2022). "Wilfredo Mendez Cleans Up Kenny Cano. Taniguchi Rematch Next?". 3kingsboxing.com. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  29. [29]
    Gaztambide, Fernando (14 August 2022). "Wilfredo Mendez Injures Knee, Upcoming Fight is Pushed Back". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  30. [30]
    Garcia, Gura (3 November 2022). "'Bimbito' Méndez vs Moíses Caro: Pelea Por Corona Omb". fdbplus.com. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  31. [31]
    "Vídeo oficial del combate Wilfredo Méndez vs. Moisés Caro". bastionboxeo.com. 7 November 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  32. [32]
    Vega, Giovanny (9 January 2023). "Choque boricua: Oscar Collazo y Wilfredo Méndez protagonizarán eliminatoria de la OMB". elvocero.com. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  33. [33]
    Donovan, Jake (15 January 2023). "Wilfredo 'Bimbito' Mendez (Back) Injured, Oscar Collazo To Now Face Yudel Reyes On Jan. 28". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  34. [34]
    Donovan, Jake (11 April 2023). "Shigeoka-Mendez Interim WBC Title Fight Set; Pradabsri Mandated To Face Winner". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  35. [35]
    "【ボクシング】重岡優大、小学生でうさぎ跳びオーバーワーク膝手術 弟・銀次朗とスパルタの日々". nikkansports.com. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
More information Sporting positions ...
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Wilfredo_Méndez, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.