Argenis Mendez Ready: I Want a World Title Fight Next

By Jake Donovan

Argenis Mendez promised the boxing world a more aggressive performance, which he believed would be key in offsetting the awkward style of Miguel Vazquez. It didn’t quite work out that way, although the fight still landed in Mendez’ favor in their lightweight battle Tuesday evening at Cowboys Dance Hall in San Antonio, Texas.

The former world super featherweight champion from Dominican Republic managed a 10-round decision over Vazquez – a former long-reigning lightweight champ – in their Fox Sports 1-televised opener on the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) Toe-to-Toe Tuesdays series. Scores were all over the place, but aiding Mendez’ cause was a point deduction from Vazquez in round seven for excessive clinching, although he’d have still won the fight, regardless.

“My plan was to be aggressive, use my jab and break him down every round. That's what I did,” Mendez (23-3-1, 12KOs) insisted afterward. “I was able to land the bigger, cleaner shots throughout the fight.”

There were several rounds which viewers deemed difficult to score, simply because there was so little action from which to choose. Vazquez was effective with his frustrating style early, but reached a point where clinching and leading in with his head took the place of clean punches.

Ultimately, it’s what cost him the fight and where Mendez fell in good graces with the three judges.
 
“He was holding me a lot and using his head,” noted Mendez. “I was trying to do what I could to deal with it, but they were letting him fight.”

The win is the second straight for the former 130 lb. titlist, who is now campaigning in the lightweight division. His 16-month stay near the top of the super featherweight division was a strange run, winning the title in March ’13 but then fighting to a draw, a knockout loss-turned-No Decision and finally a points loss in three subsequent defenses.

In turning away Vazquez – a lightweight champ for more than four years before he was dethroned last September – the next step Mendez would like to take is one in the direction of anyone with a belt.
 
“I want a world title fight next,” insists the 28-year old contender. “From this point on people are going to get used to seeing 100% out of me.”

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com.
Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Facebook Page: JakeBScene