Mar 12, 2025
2 min read
Former WBO strawweight titleholder Wilfredo Mendez recently beat Nelvis Rodriguez and hopes to parlay that into something bigger.
Mendez, who has won his last two fights after being winless in two fights, has decided to make the step up from boxing sm...
Former WBO strawweight titleholder Wilfredo Mendez recently beat Nelvis Rodriguez and hopes to parlay that into something bigger.
Mendez, who has won his last two fights after being winless in two fights, has decided to make the step up from boxing smallest weight class.
"I felt strong, [it was] three pounds less that I had to lose [and it] made a difference," Mendez (20-3-1, 6 knockouts) told The Ring through Fernando Gaztambide. "I was also excited about this challenge to campaign in a new division."
The 28-year-old Puerto Rican southpaw has a clear target.
"My goal is [WBA junior flyweight titleholder Erick] "Mini Pacman" Rosa," he said. "I find it to be an extremely competitive fight since he was world champion at 105, just like me, and due to life's circumstances, we are both now at 108 pounds.
"I think that "Mini Pacman" is a very good boxer. With just a few fights, he has managed to win two world titles in two divisions and those are the challenges I am looking for, to fight with the cream of the crop."
Mendez feels the fight could come sooner rather than later.
"I think I could do this fight now," he said. "I am ranked in both the WBA and WBO world boxing rankings, with just a few conversations the exciting fight could be arranged."
Raúl Pastrana, president of Spartan Boxing, is also keen to push ahead for that fight.
"Our goal is to have the fight with "Mini Pacman" in the summer," said Pastrano. "Which will be very big in Puerto Rico, if it happens, and then look for a unification with [any other] champion who wants it.
"It is not ruled out that "Bimbito" goes down to 105-pounds, if a good deal happens along the way."
Mendez has been a professional since 2016. He shocked Vic Saludar (UD 12) to win the WBO title. He made two defenses against Axel Aragon Vega (Tech. Dec. 7) and Gabriel Mendoza (TKO 9) before losing to Masataka Taniguchi (TKO 11).
"Bimbito" scored two wins before coming unstuck against future WBC strawweight titlist Yudai Shigeoka (KO 7). Since then, he has drawn with ArAr Andales (Tech Dec. 4) and beaten Jesus Haro (UD 12) and Rodriguez.
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at elraincoat@live.co.uk and you can follow him on Twitter@AnsonWainwr1ght
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