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:
STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 11 Jan 2026Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 11 Jan 2026Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Sat, 10 Jan 2026Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 10 Jan 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
Sat, 10 Jan 2026ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
Sat, 10 Jan 2026Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 10 Jan 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Fri, 09 Jan 2026Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 09 Jan 2026Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
Fri, 09 Jan 2026Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 09 Jan 2026Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
Fri, 09 Jan 2026IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
Fri, 09 Jan 2026