By Miguel Maravilla
Photo: Big Joe Miranda
In a highly charged rematch, #1 world contender and mandatory challenger Argenis Mendez (21-2, 11 KOs) brutally knocked out IBF junior lightweight champion Juan Carlos Salgado (26-2-1, 16 KOs) to claim the world 130lb title on Saturday night at “The Hangar” in Coasta Mesa, California. Mendez dropped Salgado in round one with a right hand, and laid him out with a left hook in round four to gain sweet revenge.
The two originally battled for the vacant IBF super featherweight title in September 2011 with Salgado surviving a late knockdown to win a controversial unanimous decision.
2008 U.S. Olympian Javier “El Intocable” Molina (13-1, 5KOs) won a unanimous decision over Joseph Elegele (13-2, 10KOs) in an eight round welterweight bout. Molina countered and timed the elusive southpaw throughout the fight as both finished the fight a bloody mess in going the distance. Judges scored it 77-75, 77-75 and 78-72.
Cincinnati super lightweight Brandon Bennett (15-0, 7 KOs) won a unanimous decision over Mario Hermosillo (11-7-3, 2 KOs) of Tijuana. Bennett was dominant as he demonstrated good hand speed and footwork in going six rounds with the tough Hermosillo as the judges scored it 60-54, 60-54, and 59-55.
Miguel Roman (39-11, 29KOs) of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico won a unanimous decision over Mexico City’s Miguel Angel Munguia (28-26-1, 24KOs) in a scheduled eight round welterweight bout. Two judges scored the bout 79-73 and the third judge scored it 78-74.
2012 Mexican Olympian Oscar Molina won a second round TKO over Willie Walton (4-6, 3KOs) in a scheduled four round welterweight bout. Referee Tom Taylor stopped the contest at 35 seconds into the second round as Oscar Molina goes to 2-0, 1KO.
Juan Funez made his debut as he won a majority decision over Jose Garcia (1-5, 1KO) in a four round featherweight bout that went the distance. Garcia gave Funez a tough fight as judge Carla Caiz scored it even while judges Max Deluca and Pat Russell scored it 39-37 as Juan Funez wins his debut and now stands at 1-0.
