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

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO- El campeón de las 105 libras de la OMB, “Wilfredo “Bimbito” Méndez, defenderá por segunda vez su cetro ante el colombiano el colombiano Gabriel Mendoza en la cartelera “Torneo de Campeones OMB este sábado, 8 de febrero, en el Hotel El Panamá de Ciudad de Panamá en una presentación de la empresa G & V Entertainment junto a PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) y Spartan Boxing.

“Bimbito expondrá su correa ante Mendoza, que era el rival original desde su primera defensa en octubre, pero como (Mendoza) es militar en Colombia, pues había que esperar por una serie de permisos y se lograron, y ahora será el rival de Bimbito este sábado en la cartelera que tendremos en Panamá”, expresó Peter Rivera, vicepresidente de PRBBP.

Méndez (15-1, 5 kos), que viene de vencer por decisión técnica al mexicano Axel Aragón en octubre de 2019 en su primera defensa, encontrará en Mendoza (30-6-2, 23 kos) a un experimentado púgil dos veces retador mundial que en su más reciente compromiso derrotó a Luis de la Rosa en Colombia en mayo de 2019. Mendoza está clasificado 15 por la OMB en las 105 libras.

El boricua ganó su correa al derrotar por decisión unánime al filipino Vic Saludar el 24 de agosto de 2019 en cartel efectuado en El Ballroom del Centro de Convenciones de Puerto Rico en San Juan.

Este sábado en Panamá también combatirá el ex monarca Latino de la OMB en las 126 libras, Luis “Popeye” Lebrón (17-1-1, 10 kos), quien se medirá al colombiano José Antonio Jiménez (22-10-1, 9 kos) en 122 libras y a 10 asaltos.

El Campeón Mundial Mini-Mosca de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), el puertorriqueño Wilfredo “Bimbito” Méndez, expondrá por segunda ocasión su corona cuando enfrente al retador ecuatoriano Pedro “El Insoportable” Villegas, en el combate estelar del evento “Torneo de Campeones de la OMB”, que se llevará a cabo el próximo sábado 8 de febrero, en el Hotel El Panamá, de Ciudad Panamá.

El anuncio de esta cartelera fue hecho este martes, en el Salón Topascio del Hotel El Panamá, en Ciudad Panamá, en donde el Presidente de la OMB, el puertorriqueño Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel, estuvo presente, junto a los representantes de la promotoras que unen fuerzas por este evento: G&V Enternainment y Spartan Boxing de Panamá, junto a PR Best Boxing de Puerto Rico.

Méndez ganó el título en agosto del año pasado, cuando derrotó por decisión unánime al filipino Víctor Saludar.

En octubre, defendió la corona ante Axel Aragón Vega, de México, y ahora se enrumba a esta segunda exposición de la corona ante Villegas, un ecuatoriano que está invicto en 12 combates, con 4 triunfos por la vía rápida. Méndez, en cambio, tiene un palmarés de 15-1, con 5 nocauts.

En duelazo co estelar por OMB Latino Super Mosca, Orlando Peñalba vs. Keyver Fernández en #WBOTorneoDeCampeones el 8 de febrero en Panamá @WorldBoxingOrg @PacoValcarcel pic.twitter.com/7cJpJdOhov

— NotiFight (@NotiFight) January 21, 2020

En esta misma cartilla, por el título latino OMB de las 115 libras, el panameño Orlando “El Jaguar” Peñalba enfrentará al venezolano Keyver Fernández, mientras que el boricua Luis “Popeye” Lebrón tendrá como rival al colombiano José Antonio Jiménez.

Además, el prospecto costarricense David “Medallita” Jiménez enfrentará a Jonathán “El Aguas” Arias, Yhorvis Pacheco tendrá como rival a Francisco De la Rosa y en los pesos pesados, Víctor “Porototipo” Delgado enfrentará a Abdiel Matute.

Los boletos ya están a la venta, en Fulltickets y al whatsapp (507) 6747-4321, y el día del evento en los jardines del Hotel El Panamá.

Via Ludo Saez / Notifight.com

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

A DEFENDER SU TÍTULO “BIMBITO” MÉNDEZ EN EL CARTEL “TORNEO DE CAMPEONES OMB” CON NUTRIDO PROGRAMA Y OTRAS CORREAS EN JUEGO ESTE SÁBADO EN TRUJILLO ALTO, PUERTO RICO

El puertorriqueño Wilfredo Bimbito Méndez defenderá su cetro de las 105 libras de la OMB por primera vez este sábado, 26 de octubre, en el cartel “Torneo de Campeones OMB”, que contará con otras tres peleas titulares y cobrará en el Coliseo Rubén Zayas Montañez de Trujillo Alto en una presentación de PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) en asociación con Spartan Boxing, que será trasmitida por WAPA Deportes después del partido de la Serie Mundial del Béisbol de las Grandes Ligas.

El evento “Torneo de Campeones OMB”, que es parte de varios programas en los que se disputarán correas de la OMB como preámbulo a la Convención Anual de la entidad que se efectuará en Japón en diciembre, tendrá púgiles de Puerto Rico, México, República Dominicana, Argentina y Estados Unidos combatiendo.

La pelea principal de la noche la protagonizará Bimbito Méndez (14-1, 5 kos) en la primera defensa de su título de las 105 libras de la OMB frente al mexicano Áxel Aragón (13-2-1, 8 kos). El boricua de 22 años se coronó mundialmente el pasado 24 de agosto al derrotar al filipino Vic Saludar por decisión unánime.

La pelea coestelar de la noche es una que presentará a dos jóvenes invictos de San Juan enfrentándose por subir un escalón más en sus carreras. En ella, el invicto Patrick Cora (8-0, 6 kos) se medirá al también imbatido Luis Midyael Sánchez (8-0, 6 kos) a ocho asaltos y en las 154 libras.

Mientras, en otra coestelar y por el cetro Latino de la OMB en las 147 libras, el medallista de oro de los Juegos Olímpicos de Pekín 2008, el dominicano Félix Díaz (20-3, 10 kos), se enfrentará al mexicano Darío Fermán (18-6, 15 kos) a 10 asaltos.

En otros pleitos titulares, el también dominicano Yenifel Vicente (35-4-2, 27 kos) combatirá ante el mexicano Rodolfo Hernández (30-7-1, 28 kos) por el título Latino de la OMB en 122 libras, mientras que el dominicano Frency Fortunato (7-0, 6 kos) se enfrentará al mexicano Marcos Muñiz (14-0, 11 kos) por el cetro Juvenil de la OMB en las 122 libras a ocho rounds.

Tras la conferencia de prensa, Méndez se dejó cortar el cabello a nombre de la Fundación Rayito de Esperanza, una organización sin fines de lucro que trabaja con niños y jóvenes pacientes y sobrevivientes de cáncer en Puerto Rico.

La trasmisión del cartel será por Wapa Deportes inmediatamente después del cuarto partido de la Serie Mundial del Béisbol de Grandes Ligas entre los Nationals de Washington y los Astros de Houston.

Fotos por Victor M. Planas

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.

Wilfredo “Bimbito” Méndez became the new WBO champion at 105 pounds and ended the world monarch drought on the Island by beating the Filipino Vic Salute by unanimous decision at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in another edition of the series “Casino Metro Boxing Nights”, presented by PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) in association with Spartan Boxing.

Bimbito Méndez (14-1, 5 kos), is also the third Puerto Rican to be crowned at 105 pounds worldwide (the others were Alex “El Nene” Sánchez and Iván “Iron Boy” Calderón) by the WBO.

The Puerto Rican used a good boxing for the 12 rounds to frustrate an aggressive Salute (19-4, 10 kos), who made his second title defense. The oriental knocked down Mendez with a left hook, but without serious consequences in round five. After the 12 rounds, the judges handed out cards of 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112 for Méndez.

“This is a dream come true; after all this we work and now I am a world champion, the only one that has Puerto Rico in men’s right now,” said Méndez, 22, after his victory. “We follow all the time the fight plan we worked on and we were able to take the victory against a good opponent like Saludar.”

Congrats to the WBO NABO Mini-Flyweight Champion and ranked #4 Wilfredo “Bimbito” Méndez 🇵🇷 (13-1, 5 KO) of Trujillo Alto, who defeated WBO ranked #8 Janiel “Pototo” Rivera 🇵🇷 (18-3-3, 11 KO) of Vega Baja, via unanimous decision, on his first title defense at the Rubén Zayas Montañéz Coliseum in the city of Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. Scorecards: 100-88, 99-89 & 97-91.

Below you can watch the entire event. In the main event, WBO NABO Champion Méndez faces Rivera in a great action fight:

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.

World ranked Jean Carlos “Lobo” Torres and Wilfredo “Bimbito” Méndez will defend their regional WBO belts in the next edition of the series “A Puño Limpio”, which will be held on Friday, May 24, at the Coliseum Rubén Zayas Montañez of Trujillo Alto in a presentation of PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) in association with Spartan Boxing and Miguel Cotto Promotions.

“For the second time this year, Lobo (Torres) and Bimbito (Mendez) will feature at the Coliseo Rubén Zayas Montañez in another big show of the series A Puño Limpio defending their titles against good rivals like Julio Laguna and Janiel Rivera in front of their fans in Trujillo Alto,” said promoter Iván Rivera, president of PRBBP. “As always we will have other good fights in our house, Trujillo Alto.”

In one of the main bouts, Lobo Torres (15-0, 11 kos), ranked #6 by the WBO at Jr. Welterweight, will defend his WBO Latino title against Nicaraguan Julio Laguna (15-1, 11 kos) at 10 rounds.

Torres returns to the Coliseo Rubén Zayas Montañez, where he has four straight wins before the limit (over Travis Castellón, Luis Joel Gonzalez, Franklin Mamani and Joseph Laryea) between 2018 and 2019.

Meanwhile, Trujillo Alto native, Bimbito Méndez (12-1, 5 kos) will defend his WBO NABO crown at 105 pounds against his countryman Janiel “Pototo” Rivera (18-3-3, 11 kos), a former world title challenger, also at 10 rounds. Méndez comes from a KO win victory on March 8 over Mexican Armando “Chiquita” Vázquez.

Méndez is ranked #4 by the WBO at 105 pounds and Rivera is ranked #7 by this entity. This new betting software is quite nice. Have a look

Six other bouts which will be announced soon, will complete this card, to be broadcast live through www.facebook.com/PRBestBoxing and by Wapa Deportes later.

Vacant WBO NABO Mini-Flyweight fight this Friday, September 28 in Puerto Rico when the series “A Puño Limpio” returns to the Ruben Zayas Montañez Coliseum in Trujillo Alto, in a presentation of PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) in association with Spartan Boxing, which will be retransmitted by Wapa Deportes.

In the main event, Wilfredo ‘Bimbito’ Méndez (10-1, 4 kos) will fight for the second time as a professional in his town (the first occasion since 2016) and will go in search of the WBO NABO minimumweight (105 pounds) belt when he faces the Mexican Axel Aragon (10-1, 6 kos) to 10 rounds. Méndez, brother of also boxer Bernard “Bimbo” Lebron, comes from a victory last July in Barranquilla, Colombia.

“I have not fought here (in Trujillo Alto) for years. I feel totally blessed to fight for this NABO title. To my opponent, thank you for coming here to fight, since not many do it. I’ll see you on September 28,” Mendez said.

Aragon, who will fight for the first time outside his country, expressed that “I come with everything, I had a great preparation and I tell my opponent to do his best to give a great fight”.

Meanwhile, the co-main event of the night will have Jean Carlos ‘Lobo’ Torres (12-0, 8 kos) fighting for the second time in a row at home when he faces Luis Joel González (11-5-1, 6 kos) in an eight rounds scheduled bout at 140 pounds. Last month Torres beat Travis Castellón by TKO in the first “A Puño Limpio” of 2018 in Trujillo Alto.

The rest of the action presents at six rounds in 122 pounds former Olympian Antonio Vargas (7-0, 3 kos), Top Rank prospect, facing Mexican veteran Felipe Rivas (17-20-4, 11 kos).

In four round clashes, Jose Villarán (4-0, 3 kos) will fight against a rival to be determined in 168 pounds; Juan Fonseca (1-0, 1 kos) will face Kelvin Diaz (2-1, 2 kos) at 140 pounds; Jean Rivera (1-1) will fight against debutant Emmanuel Román at 147 pounds; Alfredo Cruz (1-0, 1 kos) will face Louis Rios (0-3) at 115 pounds; debutants Angel Marrero and Nisk Steven Torres will fight in 140 pounds, and in a female fight debutants Kina Delgado and Genesis Lopez will fight in 105 pounds.

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.

The “A Puño Limpio” series will have three other cards in 2018, on Fridays, October 26, November 16 and December 7.

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.