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Second time around proved to be the charm for super featherweight Argenis Mendez, who knocked out Juan Carlos Salgado last night to claim the IBF title at The Hangar in Costa Mesa, CA.
The pair initially tangled over the vacant IBF strap in September, 2011, with Mendez losing a point in the fifth before he dramatically canvassed Salgado in the 12th and final frame, but it wasn’t enough as Salgado won a unanimous decision.
Since winning the belt, Mexico City based Salgado had mixed fortunes, retaining against Miguel Beltran Jr by No Contest, scraping by Martin Honorio by majority decision and most recently, posting a wide points verdict over Jonathan Victor Barros this past August.
Dominican born New Yorker Mendez emerged from the first Salgado bout by winning a tune up contest before defeating Honorio on points to win an IBF eliminator in July.
Using the Honorio fights of both Mendez and Salgado as a measuring device proved to be quite accurate as it was clear from the first bell that Mendez was there in Costa Mesa to do the business.
Mendez was clearly the better boxer last night, finding the target right away, dropping Salgado in the opening round. The champion beat the count and lasted out the round as Mendez was unable to better his work.
The second and third frames saw Salgado the more active fighter, but he was unable to plant anything of significance on Mendez, who picked his spots well, accurately landing meaningful shots on the champion.
By the fourth, Mendez was gaining in strength, culminating in a shattering knockout of Salgado via a perfect right hand that left no room for interpretation.
Mendez wins the rematch and his first world title, improving to 21-2 (11), while Salgado’s reign is over after three successful defenses and he drops to 26-2-1 (16).
