By Jake Donovan
Terms have been reached for a rematch between Argenis Mendez and Martin Honorio, Boxingscene.com was informed Wednesday afternoon.
The 130 lb. title eliminator will place on July 21 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida and air live on Telefutura. Another rematch is in store for the winner, who will get a second crack at current titlist Juan Carlos Salgado.
Mendez (19-2, 10KO) was originally slated to face unbeaten fringe contender Guillaume Frenois on the date. However, the fight fell apart, allowing Honorio to re-enter the mix after falling just short to Salgado in their title fight this past April.
Honorio came just as close to beating Mendez in their first fight more than two years ago. Mendez managed to squeak out a majority decision in their May ’10 clash in California, setting up an eventual title shot.
Mendez collided with Salgado for the vacant title on the road in Mexico last September, but a slow start cost him in the end. A last second knockdown by the Dominican made for a dramatic finish, but landed on the wrong end of a tightly contested split decision.
Neither fighter enters the rematch with much momentum in their favor. Honorio comes in on the heels of the loss to Salgado, while Mendez has just one win in between – a two-round drubbing of late sub Alex Perez in his native Dominican Republic last November.
The televised co-feature pits rising welterweight contender Ed Paredes against faded former 140 lb. titlist Vivian Harris. Also appearing on the card will be unbeaten former two division champ Joan Guzman, former two-time heavyweight titlist Shannon Briggs and unbeaten prospect Felix Diaz, who captured Olympic gold during his tour on the 2008 Dominican Republic boxing squad.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter: @JakeNDaBox or submit questions/comments to JakeNDaBox@gmail.com
