Argenis Mendez


Argenis Alexander Méndez Zapata is a professional boxer best known for winning the silver medal at the junior world championships in 2004. He is a former International Boxing Federation Super Featherweight champion.

Early life and amateur career

Argenis Mendez started boxing at the age of 12. Mendez won featherweight silver at the World Junior Championships 2004 where he beat Eddy Flores Cotilla but lost to Eduard Ambartsumyan, in the final.
He lost in the first round of the Olympics in 2004 against the Ukrainian, Maksym Tretyak. Mendez qualified for the Olympic Games by ending up in first place at the 2nd AIBA American 2004 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In 2005, he beat Abner Cotto on his way to winning the PanAm Championships).
He also holds several wins over Carlos Velásquez.
Defeated Naskali Jyri Jarmo on points, 20-8 at the 2005 World Amateur Boxing Championships, but lost early against Russian amateur standout Aleksei Tishchenko who had beaten him earlier in the year.

Professional career

He debuted in 2006, knocking out Jose Fonseco in the second round at Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Achieving a 12 fight win streak, mainly at super featherweight, until losing a close split decision to Jaime Sandoval, wherein he knocked down Sandoval in the first round.
He came back to win 6 consecutive fight including 12-round decision victories over fringe contender Martin Honorio and former IBF super featherweight champion Cassius Baloyi. Mendez fought Honorio on May 8, 2010 in the StubHub Center in Carson, California, winning a close majority decision with scores, of 114-114,116-112, and 116-112. Honorio pressured Mendez using body attacks, while Mendez used his superior hand speed and combination punching to counter Honorio. In an IBF super featherweight title eliminator, Mendez fought Baloyi in Brakpan, Gauteng, South Africa on January 29, 2011. Mendez won a unanimous decision victory, with scores of 117-110, 117-110, and 117-111, outclassing the former champion with his speed, and combination punching.
Argenis Mendez finally got his chance for the vacant IBF super featherweight against former World Boxing Council super featherweight champion and Jorge Linares conqueror Juan Carlos Salgado. On September 10, 2011, at Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, Mendez lost a close decision victory to Salgado. Both boxers landed good combination punches, and fought competitively. Mendez lost a point in the fifth round for hitting behind the head, but was able to drop Salgado in the final round.
He had a quick bounce-back victory over Alex Perez, on November 18, 2011 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, winning a knockout in the second round.
In April 2012, Castillo signed for the boxing promoter Acquinity Sports alongside compatriots Félix Díaz and Gilbert Lenin Castillo.

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
Win25-5-1 Eddie RamirezUD10 2018-05-26 Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi
Win24-5-1 Ivan RedkachSD10 2017-05-02 Sportsmans Lodge, Studio City
Loss23-5-1 Luke CampbellUD12 2016-07-30 First Direct Arena, LeedsFor vacant WBC Silver Lightweight Title
Loss23-4-1 Robert Easter Jr.TKO5 2016-04-01 D.C. Armory, Washington
Win23-3-1 Miguel VázquezUD10 2015-10-06 Cowboys Dance Hall, San Antonio
Win22-3-1 Daniel Evangelista Jr.RTD6 2015-02-20 PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh
Loss21-3-1 Rances BarthelemyUD12 2014-07-10 American Airlines Arena, MiamiLost IBF Super Featherweight Title
NC21-2-1 Rances BarthelemyKO2 2014-01-03 Target Center, MinneapolisRetained IBF Super Featherweight Title
Draw21-2-1 Arash UsmaneeMD12 2013-08-23 Turning Stone Resort Casino, VeronaRetained IBF Super Featherweight Title
Win21-2 Juan Carlos SalgadoKO4 2013-03-09 The Hangar, Costa MesaWon IBF Super Featherweight Title
Win20-2 Martin HonorioUD12 2012-07-21 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood
Win19-2 Alex PerezTKO2 2011-11-18 Hotel Jaragua, Santo Domingo
Loss18-2 Juan Carlos SalgadoUD12 2011-09-10 Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, ZapopanFor vacant IBF Super Featherweight Title
Win18-1 Cassius BaloyiUD12 2011-01-29 Carnival City, Brakpan
Win17-1 Shamir ReyesUD8 2010-07-28 BB King Blues Club & Grill, New York
Win16-1 Martin HonorioMD12 2010-05-08 Home Depot Center, CarsonWon vacant USBA Super Featherweight Title
Win15-1 Morris ChuleUD8 2009-12-12 UIC Pavilion, Chicago
Win14-1 Anthony NapunyiTKO5 2009-08-26 BB King Blues Club & Grill, New York
Win13-1 Arturo GomezUD9 2008-12-20 Palacio de Deportes, Santo DomingoWon WBA Fedelatin Super Featherweight Title
Loss12-1 Jaime SandovalSD8 2008-10-03 National Western Complex Arena, Denver
Win12-0 Jose NavarreteSD6 2008-06-06 Santander Arena, Reading
Win11-0 Oscar De La CruzTKO5 2008-04-03 Aviator Sports and Events Center, Brooklyn
Win10-0 Luis SosaTKO2 2007-12-22 Coliseo Carlos 'Teo' Cruz, Santo Domingo
Win9-0 Jorge RuizUD8 2007-11-09 Paradise Theater, Bronx
Win8-0 Guadalupe GuzmanUD6 2007-09-16 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas
Win7-0 Martin ArmentaTKO4 2007-08-30 Grand Plaza Hotel, Houston
Win6-0 Daniel LorenzanaKO2 2007-08-03 Turner Agri-Civic Center, Arcadia
Win5-0 Bobby CampbellTKO1 2007-06-09 Madison Square Garden, New York
Win4-0 Jose de la RosaKO1 2007-03-17 Coliseo Carlos 'Teo' Cruz, Santo Domingo
Win3-0 Oscar GonzalezTKO1 2007-03-03 Coliseo Roberto Clemente, San Juan
Win2-0 Ruben JacobyUD4 2007-02-17 Hammerstein Ballroom, New York
Win1-0 Jose FonsecaKO2 2006-12-18 Palacio Virgilio Travieso Soto, Santo DomingoProfessional debut