By Reynaldo Sanchez
The current world super featherweight champion of the International Boxing Federation (IBF), Argenis "La Tormenta" Mendez (21-2-1, 11 KOs), says the only fight that will keep him at 130 pounds, would be a unification fight against Miguel "Mikey" Garcia (33-0, 28 KOs), the world champion of the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
On January 3 in Minneapolis, Mendez will defend his IBF crown against mandatory challenger Rances Barthelemy. For the last four weeks, Mendez has been training in Florida at the Iron Mike Productions gym with his coaches John David Jackson, Derik Santos and physical conditioning Axel Murillo.
Garcia will return on January 25th at the Theater in New York's Madison Square garden against Juan Carlos Burgos.
If Mendez does not get a shot at Garcia, he will likely move up to the lightweight division.
"The only fight at 130 pounds that would force me to make the sacrifice of getting down in weight again is a unification fight against Mikey Garcia. If that fight is not done, I will look for a title fight at 135 in 2014. Enough of looking comfortable opponents, I think the fans are eager to see fights between the champions in all of weight divisions to determine who is the best in each weight category," Mendez said.
"Let's give the boxing fans the best fights in each division. If you are a true world champion, you must fight the best to confirm that you are the true champion of the division. Mikey Garcia is a great fighter and a good person. I know Robert and Mikey, and they are very good people and friends, but this is a business and nothing personal. We should do that fight and determine who is boss at 130 pounds."