Wilfredo Mendez Set to Defend WBO 105 World Title in Panama
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 22 Jan 2020
PANAMA CITY, Panama -- WBO Minimumweight World Champion Wilfredo Méndez (15-1, 5 KO's) of Puerto Rico is set to make his second world title defense against unbeaten Ecuadorian Pedro Villegas (12-0, 4 KO's) on Saturday, February 8, here in Panama City, Panama.
The 23-year-old champion Wilfredo Méndez comes from defeating Mexican challenger Axel Aragón Vega (13-3-1, 8 KO's) last October for a successful first title defense. Prior to that, the quick southpaw outpointed Filipino champ Vic Saludar (20-4, 11 KO's) to conquer the WBO 105-pounds world strap in August of last year.
The undefeated, yet untested challenger Pedro Villegas is Wilfredo Mendez' next foe.
Would the much more accomplished Wilfredo Mendez easily ravage his Ecuadorian challenger Villegas for a triumphant second defense? Or will the unassuming Pedro Villegas, 21, shock and rock Wilfredo Mendez to achieve the unthinkable?
In one of the undercard bouts, Panamanian 115-pounder Orlando "El Jaguar" Peñalba (9-0, 2 KO's) wages the toughest fight of his life when he battles tough, more-experienced Keiver Fernández (20-0-1, 12 KO's) of Venezuela for the vacant WBO Latino Super Flyweight Belt.
Puerto Rican Wilfredo Mendez is set to defend his WBO 105 title February 8 in Panama.
"I am very happy to return to the ring and defend my title in Panama. I am working very hard to keep my title in Puerto Rico," said Wilfredo Méndez, the only Puerto Rican male boxing world champion today.
The card -- billed as "Torneo de Campeones OMB" (Tournament of Champions WBO) -- is a joint production of Puerto Rico Best Boxing Promotions in association with Panamanian promotion companies G & V Entertainment and Spartan Boxing.
In attendance during card's presentation press conference were promoters Peter Rivera and Diego Victoria, as well as WBO President Francisco "Paco" Varcarcel.
FILIPINOS IN THE WBO 105 WORLD RANKINGS
Four Filipino fighters are currently rated in the WBO Minimumweight (105 pound) world rankings:
Former World Champion Vic Saludar (20-4, 11 KO's) of Polomolok, Cotabato del Sur, is WBO # 2.
Unbeaten 23-year-old Robert Paradero (18-0, 12 KO's) of Valencia City, Bukidnon is WBO # 3.
Melvin Jerusalem (15-2, 9 KO's), 25 year-old orthodox fighter training in Cebu, is WBO # 6.
And 23-year-old Rene Mark Cuarto 18-2-2, 11 KO's) of Zamboanga del Norte is WBO # 9.
The author Carlos Costa is a Panamanian boxing reporter living in Asia. Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and whatsapp +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
ZAYAS AND BOOTS CLASH IN UNIFIED BLOCKBUSTER AT BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN ON JUNE 27 – LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE ON DAZN PPV
Tue, 31 Mar 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Full Card to Join Taduran Vs. Perez on Friday, April 3, at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. Live on ESPN Knockout
Tue, 31 Mar 202613-0 prospect Marco Romero hasn’t lost a Fight in nearly 7 years and he’s only 20
Tue, 31 Mar 2026WORLD ELITE SUMO ANNOUNCES NEW DATE – SATURDAY, MAY 16 – FOR LIVE PROFESSIONAL SUMO EVENT AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER
Tue, 31 Mar 2026Filipino boy, 15, wins US chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 31 Mar 202660 Years of Top Rank: Bob Arum’s First Fight Launched a Boxing Empire
Mon, 30 Mar 2026Lebron James and son Bronny make NBA History
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 30 Mar 2026Bryan Acosta Wins WBA Continental Americas Featherweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Ronny Rios in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Thunder Studios in Long Beach
Sun, 29 Mar 2026Filipino boy, 9, wins in Canada chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 29 Mar 2026Vagabov and Ziyaev crowned champions at IBA Bare Knuckle 4 in Saint Petersburg
Sun, 29 Mar 2026Sherwin Tiu captures Kamatyas Open Chess crown
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 29 Mar 2026Fundora vs Thurman: Can Keith Thurman Shake Off The Rust?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 28 Mar 2026Albert Ramirez Against Lerrone Richards for the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight World Title on June 4 in Montreal!
Sat, 28 Mar 2026GM Daniel Quizon is the Favorite in 19th Kamatyas
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 28 Mar 2026Weights From ‘Acosta vs. Rios’ Event from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, Calif., and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
Sat, 28 Mar 2026