Abel Mendoza Returns to West Texas on September 24th

Building up a young prospect's career in boxing in this current environment can be a daunting task. When that fighter is without a manager or promoter, it can seem to be impossible. However, as we see over and over again in the sweet science, nothing is impossible. Rising 130-pound unbeaten prospect Abel Mendoza of West Texas is showing the boxing world exactly how it's done without major representation. The unbeaten Super Featherweight has put together a 34-0 (27) record all on his own. Mendoza said " no manager, no promoter. I've made it to 34-0 on my own. No help, no nothing." He explains staying the course and self-managing and self-promoting "Fighting locally whenever there's show. I fought a lot in Mexico. In Mexico, they don't pay, but I had to do what I had to do, to be in the position I'm in 34-0."

Mendoza is scheduled to make a homecoming fight on the September 24th main event at the La Hacienda Event Center in Midland on a card promoted by Elite Fight Promotions, which is co-owned by Gilbert Torres and Jose Montanez. It's been a hard-fought rise to the top for the 26-year-old West Texan, who commented on fighting his way to the top of the cards and becoming the main attraction " I wasn't headlining, they had me as a co-main, now I am the main event. I am very proud to be in this position. Other fighters in my position have stopped, but I am still going."

Is he ever still going! Beating former world title challenger Victor Zaleta, who went the distance with Omar Navarez and had been in with legendary world champs like Leo Santa Cruz and Carlos Cuadras, none of those names got rid of Zaleta as quickly and as impressively as did Mendoza. Over four high-action but mostly one-sided rounds, Mendoza steamrolled Zaleta back in late 2021. A major step-up fight and Mendoza passed with flying colors and started making the transition from prospect to contender status. He recollects on the fight "We started off pretty fast, it was a fast pace. I was a little surprised I did get him out that quickly. I was expecting to go more rounds. Zaleta is a good fighter. He's a strong fighter. Any fight he's in, he's going to give them problems."

Mendoza has run off three more wins, winning them all by knockouts to move his record to the current 34-0 (27) but has not gotten the big mega fight or world title fight he had his eye on. However, he is not afraid to earn it the old-fashioned way. When asked about getting Abner Mares or a world title fight next he responded, " Hopefully next, I do want to fight the best. Maybe they feel I haven't earned it, and maybe I gotta earn it and that's ok! I am ready to earn my way to fight for a world title." He went on to address the rumors and potential Mares fight "if they would have called me for a Mares fight, I would have took it. If they asked me to fight Mares next, I'd say yes in a heartbeat. It's up to Mares and his team if they want to take this fight."

For the immediate future, it's back to building his resume and waiting for a world champion or another big name to accept a fight with him. The next stop is back in his hometown on September 24th. Mendoza has also done camp back in West Texas, San Diego is where he typically does training camp and has hired the help of fellow West Texas contender Michael Dutchover to help with his conditioning. It's been a good experience for the undefeated knockout artist saying, "It's good. I enjoy being back home. My friends and family, this is home. I am glad to be fighting at home." Should Mendoza get the win he's expected to get, the sky is the limit. A world title fight could be on the horizon, but if it's not Mendoza is in it for the long haul. He will patiently wait for his opportunity, " they can't avoid me forever... If I have to get to 50-0, that's what it's gonna have to be. If I get to 70-0, whatever it takes. it's gonna come." he explained. Mendoa went on to add what it would mean to bring a world title back to West Texas "there hasn't been a world champion here to being a world title here would be awesome."

Kendo Castaneda Scores Tremendous Victory

28-year-old Kendo "Tremendo" Castaneda has had a rollercoaster of a career. He started off 17-0, captured the WBA NABA 140-Pound strap, was highly ranked by the sanctioning body, and was considered one of the premier prospects in the division. He then lost five in a row and was stopped in the AT&T Center in his hometown of San Antonio. That last loss seemed to strike a nerve. Castaneda remotivated himself. He secured a sensational first-round knockout in the opening round of the PROBOX Last Chance Tournament. That set up Saturday's showdown at the Whitesands Events Center in Plant City, Florida. Castaneda took on local product Joseph Fernandez in a 10-round affair.

Castaneda got off to a quick start, pressing Fernandez and landing with straight right hands. Setting thighs up off the jab, Castaneda got off to a tremendous start. Fernandez was successful in slowing the pace and evening things up in the middle rounds. The Floridian was able to keep Castaneda at bay and stay off the ropes. A recurring theme had developed. Castaneda would win the first two and a half minutes. Fernandez would rally late to try and steal the round. It was an incredibly close contest heading into the ninth. Castaneda was admittedly exhausted and was told by his trainer Ronnie Cantu "Six minutes for the rest of your life/" Castaneda picked up his second wind and the pair produced the round of the year in the ninth. Castaneda was buckled early in the round. He seemed to be wearing down and that's just when he got going and put together the best rally of the fight that nearly dropped Fernandez and almost ended his fight as the bell sounded to end the round. The late rally from the Texan sealed the deal as Castaneda took a competitive but unanimous decision by scores of 96-94 on all three cards.

Castaneda will battle with rugged veteran Antonio Moran in the finals. Moran outlasted "West Texas" Warrior Michael Dutchover of Midland, to fill out the other side of the bracket. Moran was able to outbox Durchover and rolled to a wide points victory by scores of 100-90x2 and 99-91.

Castaneda and Dutchover Complete Texas Two Step

Kendo "Tremendo" Castanada, 28, from San Antonio, ended his five-fight slide with a vicious one-punch, left hook, knockout just two minutes into the opening round against Sonny Fredrickson of Toledo, Ohio. Castaneda got to work early with an aggressive Fredrickson, who tried to rush the Texan and ate some big shots early. Castenada was able to land power shots at will and appeared comfortable, and in complete control in the opening moments. When Castaneda saw his opening and he did not wait, unleashing a tremendous left hook that dropped Fredrickson like a building imploding on itself, causing referee Michael DeJesus to waive off the bout at the 2:02 mark of round number one. The bout was featured on the launch of the all-new boxing app Pro Box TV and is part of the Last Chance tournament. Which features eight 140-pound contenders. Castaneda captured the WBA/NABA Super lightweight belt back in December of 2018 and ran his record to 17-0 by the end of 2019, when he stopped Stan Martyniouk, in Reno. He had suffered five straight setbacks before the tremendous knockout Friday night in Plant City, Florida, and improved his record to 18-5 (9). The Alamo City native will fight Florida-based Joseph Fernandez in the semi-finals.

In the bout prior "The West Texas Warrior" Michael Dutchover, of Midland, got himself back on track, scoring an impressive points victory over Clarence Booth of Florida. The 24-year-old west Texan out-jabbed and outmaneuvered his opponent. He skillfully out-jabbed the Floridian from long range. When the fight moved into close quarters, Dutchover was able to land with solid left hooks and right hands on the inside. After several fairly close rounds. Dutchover was appearing to break down his opponent, and late in the sixth, the west Texan scored with an overhand right and moments later scored again with a short left hook that buzzed Booth. Sharpshooting in the seventh, Dutchover again stunned his opponent with just about 15 seconds remaining in the round via a right hand. Dutchover seemed confident he was well ahead on the scorecards and appeared to run out the clock in the eighth and final rounds. The judges scored the fight shockingly close. James O'Connor handed in a real head-scratcher of 77-75 in favor of Booth overruled by Joanne Richard scored (78-74) and Tito Wilgo had (77-75) both in favor of Dutchover, who moved his record to 16-2 (10) now advances to the semi-finals to face rugged veteran Antonio Moran. Dutchover lost his previous fight via sixth-round stoppage to Nahir Albright last September.