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:
LAZARO LORENZANA CAPTURES WBC REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE OVER LUIS ARIAS
Sun, 30 Nov 2025Paras fails bid for IBO world super fly title
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 30 Nov 2025BIRMINGHAM FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS: BEN WHITTAKER CELEBRATES A WINNING START WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
Sun, 30 Nov 2025ThunderDome 52 Results: Clarke Defeats Seidu by Controversial Split Decision
Sun, 30 Nov 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND QUOTES FROM TODAY’S OFFICIAL WEIGH-INS AND PRESS CONFERENCE FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS’ HIGHLY ANTICIPATED U.S. DEBUT TOMORROW, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29
Sat, 29 Nov 2025Tagaytay Hosts 3rd Asian Chess Championship for Disabled 2025
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 29 Nov 2025WEIGHTS FROM PROBOXTV’S ‘THE CONTENDER SERIES’ AT SAVE MART CENTER IN FRESNO, SAT., NOVEMBER 29
Sat, 29 Nov 2025BIRMINGHAM WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS BEN WHITTAKER PREPARES FOR MATCHROOM DEBUT
Fri, 28 Nov 2025Coach Marvin Somodio: Full of Life and Punch at 42
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Fri, 28 Nov 2025Boston Ends Detroit's Winning Streak at 12; Celtics Trip Pistons, 117-114 at the Garden
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 28 Nov 20257-Eleven Run 2026 set on Jan. 31-Feb. 1
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 28 Nov 2025Carlos Cañizales Forced to Cancel Flight to Thailand for WBC World Title Defense
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 27 Nov 2025World Boxing Champions Promotions to Present Manny Pacquiao & Freddie Roach with Inaugural “Centurion Awards” During Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event on November 29
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Atif Oberlton Takes on Vaughn Alexander on Saturday, December 6th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Iligan tops in PEKAF Mindanao qualifying tourney
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 27 Nov 2025