Will Acosta stay at super flyweight or go back down to flyweight?
Former WBO Junior Flyweight champion Angel “Tito” Acosta (21-2, 21ko) kept his momentum going by winning a unanimous decision against tough veteran Gilberto Mendoza (17-9-3, 8ko). Acosta is a Puerto Rican who was stepping into the ring for the first time since October 2019. He is coming off a knockout victory against Raymond Tabugon that saw him capture the WBO International Flyweight title.
Mendoza is not a household name, but he has bounced around in different weight divisions ranging from flyweight all the way up to lightweight. He has even shared the ring with McWilliams Arroyo and former WBA Bantamweight champion Rau’shee Warren.
The 31-year-old crafty veteran from California is very durable, and he was able to deal with the power of Acosta. He even managed to get up off the canvas after being knocked down in the seventh round. Mendoza also had to deal with fighting in the hostile territory of the Puerto Rican fighter.
Acosta is a former WBO Junior Flyweight champion. The Puerto Rican fighter dropped onto the scene back in November 2012 and knocked out the first eight opponents. He continued to dominate opponents and work his way into a title fight with Japanese sensation and WBO champion Kosei Tanaka.
The fighter nicknamed Tito, after the famous Puerto Rican fighter Felix Trinidad, would lose the fight despite breaking both orbital bones of Tanaka. However, he would get a second chance when the Japanese champion moved up in weight. This time the Puerto Rican fighter would seize the moment by destroying Juan Alejo for the vacant title.
ANGEL HAS A TOUGH DECISION TO MAKE
After three successful title defenses, he would lose the title via a controversial stoppage to Elwin Soto back in June 2019. Equally important, he would move up in weight for one fight at flyweight, but the Mendoza bout was at the super flyweight limit.
Things are about to get interesting. Tito can easily go back down to flyweight. He is ranked number four by the WBC and holds the top spot at the WBO. This means a championship opportunity could be coming soon. However, he could stay at super flyweight, adding even more spice to arguably the best division in boxing.
Whatever the decision, one thing is for certain; the hard-punching Puerto Rican fighter is ready to get back into the hunt for a title.
By: Garrisson Bland
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