Javier Mendoza Next IBF Title Defense Eyed For April

By Miguel Rivera

IBF junior flyweight champion Javier Mendoza (23-2-1, 19KOs) captured the vacant world title last September, winning a twelve round decision over Ramon Garcia Hirales.

He was scheduled to make his first defense against Mauricio Fuentes in January,  but the IBF refused to sanction the bout as a world title contest. Fuentes was knocked out in two easy rounds.

The opponent, according to Zanfer Promotions, could come against mandatory challenger Milan Melindo (32-1, 12KOs), who won a final title eliminator last November with a twelve round decision over Saul Juarez. Melindo had tried to capture another title in July 2013, losing a twelve round decision to top Mexican fighter Juan Francisco Estrada.