Wilfredo Mendez staying busy with title defense
WBO Mini Flyweight champion Wilfredo “Bimbito” Mendez (15-1, 5ko) is set to make his return to the squared circle against Pedro Villegas (12-0, 4ko).
The 23-year-old Puerto Rican southpaw champion has come a long way since suffering his first defeat against WBA #2 rated contender Leyman Benavides back in 2018. He would win his next six fights in a row, including a surprise victory over then-champion Victorio Saludar.
Furthermore, the young champion will be making the second defense of the title. Mendez is one of those fighters that stays busy throughout the year. He has fought at least three times annually since joining the pro ranks back in 2016.
Villegas is a relatively unknown boxer from Ecuador. This is the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to go from nobody to world champion overnight. It will also be a huge step-up in class for the 21-year-old challenger. Since only fighting subpar competition in his home country, he will have to raise his game to another level.
INTERESTING FACTS
Mendez will be fighting in Panama City for the first time in his career, while his counterpart will be fighting for his first title of any kind and fighting outside of his country, both career firsts.
This division is long overdue for a unification match-up and hopefully, in 2020, the boxing community will finally get to see all of the champions get it on.
These two little warriors are set to meet at the Hotel El Panama, Panama City on February 8.
By: Garrisson Bland
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