Mendez Looks For Redemption In Salgado Rematch

0
870

Top contender Argenis “The Thunderstorm” Mendez (20-2, 10 KOs) gets another shot at International Featherweight Boxing (IBF) Juan Carlos Salgado (26-1-1, 16 KOs) on Saturday night (March 9) in the 12-round main event, live on HBO Latino from The Hanger in Costa Mesa, California.

 

Mendez recently returned from an eight-week training camp with his trainer, Lee Beard, in England.

 

“I’ve been working hard to get ready for this fight,” Mendez said. “I’m excited to be fighting once again for the world title and on HBO Latino. I’m going to take care of unfinished business. I’m not going to leave the final result in the hands of the judges this time. I’m coming back with the belt for my family and team, Acquniity Sports, and my country, Dominican Republic.”

 

Mendez earned his title shot in the Salgado rematch, as the 2004 Dominican Republic Olympian did the first time around, winning IBF title eliminators to become the mandatory challenger again. In 2011, Mendez easily won a 12-round unanimous decision (117-110, 117-110, 117-111) over Cassius Baloyi (37-5-1) in South Africa.

 

Eight months later, Mendez challenged Salgado in his native Mexico, dropping a closely contested and controversial 12-round decision (114-112, 114-112, 115-110), in which Mendez decked Salgado in the final round.

 

Mendez, now living in Miami, bounced right back, winning a 12-round unanimous decision (117-109, 116-110, 115-111) from Martin Honorio (32-7-1) last July in another IBF title eliminator. Honorio is the only common opponent for Mendez and Salgado; the Dominican having won a pair of 12-round decisions, the Mexican one.

 

Mendez can become Acquiniity Sports’ first world champion. “I’m very happy with Mendez’ progress and I’m very confident that he will become our first world champion this Saturday night,” Acquinity Sports CEO Gary Jonas commented.

 

“Our business started a little more than a year ago and Mendez will be our first world champion,” added an equally confident Henry Rivalta, Acquinity Sports’ Vice President of Boxing Operations. “In the first fight, Mendez should have done a little more early in the fight. He beat-up Salgado near the end of the fight, but the judges must not have felt that he did enough to beat the defending world champion in his home country. Mendez doesn’t plan for this fight to go the full distance. He’s in great shape after going through a rigorous training camp with his trainer, Lee Beard. Salgado won’t be fighting the same Mendez this Saturday night. Argenis is hungry and eager. He felt that he won the last fight and believes he’ll win this fight.

 

“Fighters don’t get many opportunities like this and Mendez is going into the fight to knockout Salgado. He dominated the fight against Honorio to win the IBF title eliminator and become Salgado’s mandatory challenger.   We’re proud of Argenis for all the hard work he’s put in and behind him 100-percent. He has a great team with Lee and his manager, Jose Nunez. We’re ready to celebrate with a parade back home when Mendez becomes world champion.”

 

Mendez was also a world-class amateur boxer, compiling an eye-opening 238-13 record, highlighted by a gold-medal performance in the 2005 Pan-American Games. He captured a silver medal at the 2005 World Championships.

 

Salgado and Mendez are rated No. 2 and No. 7, respectively, by The Ring Magazine.

 

Mendez’ fellow countryman and stable-mate, Joan “Little Tyson” Guzman, captured world titles in two weight classes prior to signing a promotional contract with Acquinity Sports.   Guzman, however, will fight Vincente “El Loco” Mosquera, tentatively scheduled for May 31, for the Interim World Boxing Association super lightweight title.

  

Mendez action  

(L) Argenis Mendez stalks opponent
(all pictures by Rey Sanchez / Acquinity Sports)

SHARE
Previous articleArum and Dempsey Lead 2013 New York State Boxing Hall of Fame
Next articleOne Part of Bradley Was Pleased With The Pacquiao KO, Aims To Stop Provodnikov
The team at Thaboxingvoice.com set out with a mission to create an online environment focused on boxing that voiced the opinions, concerns, and attitudes of you, the people. Doing our best to bring you the answers you want to know, and getting the exclusives that those other guys cant. We are always working hard to get the inside scoop inside and outside of the ring. If it’s happening in Boxing, we will tell you about it! You can find us at the fights all over the place with our nationwide team of correspondents, and wide reach around the globe we have the tools and the team to bring you coverage from all the fights. Whether it is in a gym in Jersey or on the floor at MGM Grand. No fight to big or small for Tha Boxing Voice. Our experienced team combined has over 50+ years of boxing experience to bring to the table. Some of us growing up ringside, some of us growing up in the ring, no matter the situation we are all true boxing fans first and reporters second. This can be found evident on our twice-weekly podcast. We work hard to bring you interviews that answer your questions and guest who will spark your interest from all areas of the boxing world. Writers, Trainers, Promoters and the most relevant fighters before and after some of their biggest fights. We are working 24/7 to get the information to you, the listeners. We work to form a personal relationship with our listeners and our guests making our show more intimate and giving a raw, uncut and real aspect that you will be hard pressed to find elsewhere. We are Tha Boxing Voice, The Voice of you, The People. Follow @boxingvoiceshow