Mendez Dethrones Saludar in Puerto Rico
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 25 Aug 2019
Wilfredo "Bimbito" M?ndez became the new WBO minimumweight world champion by scoring a unanimous decision win over tough more-experienced Filipino Vic Saludar before an enthusiastic audience today Saturday, August 24, at Puerto Rico's Convention Center.
M?ndez (14-1, 5 KO's) made use of his good boxing skills throughout the 12 rounds to control the aggressive Saludar (19-4, 10 KO's), who was making his second title defense.
Saludar knocked down M?ndez with a good left hook in the 5th chapter, though he failed to follow it up with more.
After the 12 rounds, wide scorecards were 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112, all for the 22 year-old Puerto Rican.
"This is a dream come true after all this the hard work," said a visibly satisfied M?ndez after his clear triumph.
"Now I am a world champion, the only boxing male world champion that Puerto Rico has right now.
"We followed the fight plan that we had worked on, and we were able to claim victory against a good opponent like 🇵🇭 Vic Saludar."
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