WBO Mini-Flyweight World Champion Wilfredo Mendez vs. Alexis Diaz For December 16

The only current male world champion from Puerto Rico, Wilfredo “Bimbito” Mendez (16-1, 6 KOs), from Trujillo Alto, will have his third title defense on Wednesday, December 16th in the Dominican Republic. The event will be promoted by Shuan Boxing Promotions.

Mendez will put his WBO Mini-Flyweight (105 lbs) world title on the line when he faces the dangerous Venezuelan Alexis Díaz (25-2, 17 KOs) at the Hotel Catalonia in Santo Domingo. The world championship bout will be broadcast live on Shuan Boxing’s YouTube channel.

“The two defeats of my opponent have been in good fights against world champions (José Argumedo and Thammanoon Niyomtrong)”, Méndez said. “He goes into the ring with a lot of desire to take the title for Venezuela and I understand that we both will give the Dominican and world boxing fans a great fight.”

For his third defense, “Bimbito” trained at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“I was working in Las Vegas with trainers Yoel González and Carlos de León. The physical work was made by Ángel “Memo” Heredia and I’m more than grateful to Mayweather’s people for treating us like family. Training with great champions like Angelo Leo and Gervonta Davis has been a great learning experience. In the sparring sessions, the six-time Puerto Rican national champion Yankiel Rivera helped me a lot. I am motivated and on December 16, I will show that the island of Coquí has a lot of boxing left in the tank,” Mendez said.

Photo by V. Planas

Wilfredo ‘Bimbito’ Mendez remains Puerto Rico’s lone male titlist, hanging on to that status by the skin of his teeth—and of his challenger.

The defending WBO Mini-Flyweight title claimant lodged his first successful defense in a technical split decision win over Axel Aragon this past Saturday at Cancha Ruben Zayas Montanez in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico.

Aragon prevailed by 67-66 on the dissenting card that was trumped by scores of 67-66 and 68-65 in favor of Mendez in their cut-shortened rematch.

Mendez had every advantage heading into the night—height, reach, home region and a landside win over his opponent, a late replacement for Colombia’s Gabriel Mendoza who was unable to travel due to visa issues.

In came Aragon, a squat Mexican slugger who took the fight on less than a week’s notice. He put his three fight win streak on the line, all of which has followed his 10-round loss to Mendez in this very venue last September. Their previous affair was far more lopsided, with Mendez claiming a wide points victory en route to eventually going on to the title stage.

Things were far more competitive this time around, although Mendez enjoyed early success offering lateral movement and connect with left hands from the outside. Aragon, who at 5’0” is often at a height disadvantage no matter whom he faces, struggled to work his way inside the defending champion, although that dynamic changed dramatically late in round four.

A right hand across the chin briefly froze Mendez, setting him up for a left hook and looping right hand to send him crashing to the canvas for the bout’s lone knockdown. Mendez recovered in time to make it to the bell, before taking over in round five.

The local favorite continued his attack in round six, but not before a clash of heads provided what would be the beginning of the end. Mendez sought to land left hands to the body, but his forehead clashed with Aragon’s face, leaving his challenger with a deep gash over his left eye.

Time was called to review the wound before action was permitted to continue. Aragon bravely soldiered on, though by round seven was no longer in a position to continue. The referee called time at the start of the round to once again have the cut examined. This time around, it was decided that he was done for the night.

Because the bell sounded to start the round, the partial frame was scored. With the fight having been extended past four rounds, a No-Contest was avoided and Mendez’s title reign kept intact.

The win advances the southpaw to 14-1 (6KOs), having now won four straight including a 12-round decision over Vic Saludar this past August in San Juan.

Aragon snaps a three-fight win streak, falling to 13-3-1 (8KOs).

With the win, Mendez is now just one of two Boricuas to officially hold a major title—with seven-division titlist Amanda Serrano being the other.

Saturday’s show streamed live on the Puerto Rico Best Boxing Promotions’ legal website.

By Jake Donovan / BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox

After his convincing victory over Filipino Vic Saludar last Saturday, Puerto Rican Wilfredo “Bimbito” Méndez officially received his WBO World Mini-Flyweight Championship this afternoon in an event held at the Mayor’s House of Trujillo Alto.

“I’m still super excited. When I saw the video (of the fight) it gave me an unreal feeling. None of this wasn’t possible if it wasn’t for my brother (boxer Bernard Lebron). I saw him trying to lose weight, I said I wanted to follow him, I became a champion, but behind me there is a humility that recognizes those who gave me the opportunity. I became a champion at the perfect time. I will continue to work hard and it will be my turn to keep myself,” said Méndez.

WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel,Esq. said that “now it is going to be difficult for you because you have to keep and defend the title. You are an example for children to be a good citizen. That is the responsibility you assume today. Anyone can be a world champion, but not everyone holds himself as long-term champions.”

Bimbito Méndez (14-1, 5 KOs) beat Saludar (19-4, 10 KOs) by unanimous decision to become the third Puerto Rican to win a 105-pound title in history joining Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderón and Álex “El Nene “Sánchez, besides being the only Puerto Rican (male) with a world title at the moment.

In search of an opportunity for a world title, WBO #7 ranked Jean Carlos “Lobo” Torres will fight again in his town defending for the second time his interim WBO Latino title at 140 pounds against the Nicaraguan Julio Laguna in the main event of “A Puño Limpio”, to be held this Friday, June 28, at the Rubén Zayas Montañez Coliseum in Trujillo Alto in a presentation of PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) in association with Spartan Boxing that will be broadcast live on www.facebook.com/PRBestBoxing and later in Wapa Deportes.

“Lobo (Torres) prepared very well after the slight injury he had and is ready to continue his route to a world fight. Against Laguna he (Torres) will face a rival with a good record so we expect a great fight and another good one showposter with the bouts that we have make,” said promoter Iván Rivera, president of PRBBP.

While, WBO president, Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel, who was at the press conference, explained that “(For Torres) the opportunity is there: at any moment he may be fighting for the world title. Lobo has much to lose, Laguna he has a lot to gain, there’s nothing written in boxing, that’s what makes the fights interesting.”

Lobo Torres (15-0, 11 kos), native of La Gloria neighborhood of Trujillo Alto, will face the Nicaraguan Julio Laguna (15-1, 10 kos) at 10 rounds in the main clash of the evening. The Puerto Rican comes from four straight wins (over Travis Castellón, Luis Joel Gonzalez, Franklin Mamani and Joseph Laryea between 2018 and 2019) in this same stage.

“I’m going to take full advantage of all the opportunities that come in. I come well prepared … new corner, new teaching. (Trainer) Iván Calderón is giving me some moves to be a better boxer every day. Fo my Barrio La Gloria: This Latino title is going to stay here, Laguna, I hope you come well prepared,” said Torres.

Laguna said that “I am grateful for the invitation and the opportunity that is being given to me, we are ready for the fight, I am of few words, I like to solve everything in the ring”.

On the other hand, the mayor of Trujillo Alto, José Luis Cruz Cruz, said that “we are glad that our town is the headquarters of these monthly cards and that we can see the rise of Trujillo’s projects like Jean Carlos” El Lobo “Torres and Carlos “The Chosen One” Arrieta. Our administration will continue to support these sports initiatives, not only because of the roots, but for the benefit of our fighters whose goal is a world championship.”

In one of the co-feature bouts of the night, at eight rounds, Carlos “The Chosen One” Arrieta (9-0, 7 kos) will face the Nicaraguan Martin Diaz (15-9, 6 kos) at 122 pounds.

“Thanks to the opponent (Diaz) for accepting the fight, I’m going to raise the level with this fight, I’m motivated, on Friday, I want all my people there for a great show,” said Arrieta, who won a unanimous decision over Argentine Ernesto Franzolini on May 24.

Díaz said that “I’m ready, it’s going to be a nice fight, we’re warriors and we’re going to give everything.”

“A Puño Limpio” will be broadcast on Facebook Live at 8:00 p.m. through www.facebook.com/PRBestBoxing

As a “civil war” could be called the clash between world ranked at 105 pounds Wilfredo “Bimbito” Méndez and Janiel “Pototo” Rivera, who will dispute the WBO’s NABO belt of Méndez, this Friday, May 24, in another edition of “A Puño Limpio”, which will be held at the Rubén Zayas Montañez Coliseum in Trujillo Alto in a presentation of PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) in association with Spartan Boxing and Miguel Cotto Promotions.

Currently, Méndez (12-1, 5 kos) is ranked #4 by the WBO at 105 pounds, while Rivera (18-3-3, 11 kos), who challenged for a world title in 2013, is ranked #8.

“We are going to present a big fight this Friday between Bimbito Méndez and Janiel Rivera, two well-ranked fighters, who could get a world opportunity to win this Friday,” said promoter Iván Rivera, president of PRBBP. “We also have other good matches and fighters from Trujillo Alto and adjacent areas for the delight of the fans that comes to the Rubén Zayas Montañez Coliseum.”

The main event of the evening will have Bimbito Méndez defending his WBO NABO belt at 105 pounds against Pototo Rivera, in what is expected to be a 10-round “civil war”. Méndez, 22, comes from a victory by way of the knockout in March over Mexican Armando “Chiquita” Vázquez, while Rivera, 27, knocked out Lucian González in March, in the most recent bouts of both fighters. The WBO monarch at 105 pounds is the Filipino Vic Saludar.

“It’s a fight that the fan asked for, even Janiel asked, I’m super happy, second time I’m stellar at home, my audience calls for competitive fights all the time, this fight is competitive, it’s an important fight for me, to win, I put myself number one (in the ranking), the fight is going to be a great show,” said Méndez.

For his part, Rivera said that “Wilfredo Méndez is a boy who is rising, but I understand that he has something that can make me fight for the world title. It’s nothing personal, Wilfredo is a terrific fighter We know each other a little bit, I’m happy that this fight was made, we need boxing stars in Puerto Rico, I know the winner is going to give a good representation of Puerto Rico, but it’s not a secret that I’m going to win. ”

Meanwhile, in an eight round bout, Carlos Arrieta (8-0, 7 kos), will face the Argentine Ernesto Sebastian Franzolini (8-9-1, 1 kos) to eight rounds in 122 pounds, as well as Patrick Cora (6 -0, 5 kos), will fight against the Argentine Luis Alberto Vera (10-14-2, 1 kos) to six rounds and 154 pounds.

The rest of the undercard will have in four-round matches, Ángel Marrero (2-0) against Juan Fonseca (2-0) at 140 pounds; José Manuel Scroggin (1-0-1) against Juseim Cruz (2-0) at 140 pounds; Luis Enrique Rivera (2-5, 2 kos) against Hayron Santiago (5-5-1, 3 kos) at 126 pounds; Mario Suárez (1-0-1) against Eugene Alvelo (0-4) at 160 pounds, and Adrián Martínez (3-2, 2 kos) against a rival to be determined at 140 pounds.

Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico – En una concurrida actividad donde participaron múltiples personalidades del boxeo, la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), mediante su programa mundial ‘WBO Kids Drug Free’ y con el apoyo de las empresas PR Best Boxing y Spartan Boxing Club, remodelaron y reinauguración en solo cuatro días, el gimnasio municipal de boxeo Pedro Cobé Vega, situado en los predios del coliseo Ruben Zayas Montañéz de Trujillo Alto.

“Todo el equipo de entrenamiento de este gimnasio es nuevo y queremos que los jóvenes boxeadores y los residentes de Trujillo Alto, cuiden este lugar y los equipos, ya que esto ayudará a sacar a muchos jóvenes de las calles y a la vez, le damos a todos los trujillanos una mejor calidad de vida. El equipo de nosotros de la OMB, Spartan Boxing y PR Best Boxing trabajaron bien fuerte para lograr estos cambios en cuatro días y los felicito”, dijo el presidente de la OMB, el Lcdo. Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcárcel, quien estuvo acompañado por el alcalde de Trujillo Alto José Luis Cruz Cruz y su equipo de trabajo.

De la actividad participaron, el excampeón mundial de dos divisiones Iván Calderón, campeón Interino Latino OMB de los pesos pesados y ex olímpico Víctor Bisbal, campeón Latino OMB Jr. Welter Jean Carlos ‘Lobo’ Torres, el dos veces olímpico y campeón Latino y Juvenil de la OMB en las 115 libras Jeyvier Cintrón, campeón NABO 105 libras Wilfredo ‘Bimbito’ Méndez, campeón Latino OMB 122 libras Yenifel Vicente y el contendor mundial Luis ‘Popeye’ Lebrón. Otros boxeadores que participaron: Nestor Bravo, Patrick Cora, John Correa y Carlos Arrieta.

También dijeron presente en la actividad, de Spartan Boxing el presidente Raúl Pastrana y la vicepresidenta Mayra Pastrana, el promotor Iván Rivera, los manejadores Margaro Cruz, Peter Rivera y José Ortíz. Los entrenadores Jesús ‘Tongui’ Ortíz, Yoel ‘Yowy’ González, Oro Lebrón, José Bonilla, Jesús Ayala. Los árbitros Roberto Ramírez, hijo, Luis Pabón y José H. Rivera, el preparador físico y nutricionista DJ. Los jueces Nelson Vázquez, César Ramos e Idalia Parra. Por la OMB, aparte de Valcárcel, estuvieron presentes el Tesorero Adolfo Flores y el Director del Comité de Clasificaciones de la OMB Edgardo López Sasso.

‘WBO Kids Drug Free’ es un programa internacional dirigido a niños y jóvenes con el fin de llevar un mensaje de prevención al consumo de drogas y motivarlos a continuar en los estudios, utilizando el deporte como una herramienta para mantenerse en buenos pasos, al igual que apoyar causas dirigidas a los más necesitados con el fin de aportar a que puedan obtener una mejor calidad de vida.

Foto por Víctor Planas / OMB

Trujillo Alto natives Wilfredo “Bimbito” Mendez and Jean Carlos “Lobo” Torres will have their stellar turns in the second edition of the new stage of the series “A Puño Limpio”, which returns on Friday, September 28, at the Ruben Zayas Montañez Coliseum de Trujillo Alto, in a presentation of PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) in association with Spartan Boxing, which will be broadcast by Wapa 2 Deportes.

“We return to Trujillo Alto with another event in which we hope to continue the success of the first “A Puño Limpio” held last month. The show returns with El Lobo Torres in a good fight and we will have Bimbito Mendez in search of a regional title, as well as other good matches,” said promoter Ivan Rivera, president of PRBBP.

In one of the main bouts, Bimbito Méndez (10-1, 4 kos) will look for his first belt when he faces the Mexican Axel Aragon (10-1, 6 kos) for the minimumweight (105 pounds) WBO NABO title scheduled for 10 rounds. Mendez, brother of also fighter Bernard “Bimbo” Lebron, comes from a victory last July in Barranquilla, Colombia.

In another of the stellar clashes, Lobo Torres (12-0, 8 kos) will fight again on home soil against Luis Joel Gonzalez (11-5-1, 6 kos) at 140 pounds and eight rounds. Torres, who beat Travis Castellón by KO last August 10th in the first “A Puño Limpio”, will fight for the third time this year.

The series “A Puño Limpio”, in its first part, took place between 2011 and 2012 with shows around Puerto Rico, and had in action fighters like the current world champion Emmanuel “Manny” Rodríguez (in his debut) , former world champion Manuel Alejandro “Manny” Siaca, later world champion McJoe Arroyo, as well as future world challengers McWilliams Arroyo, Jonathan Oquendo, José “Chelo” González and David Quijano, and then prospect Jonathan “Bomba “González, among others.

Additional details of the September 28th program will be announced soon. The “A Puño Limpio” series will have three other cards in 2018, on Fridays, October 26, November 16 and December 7.