Photo by Esther Lin
On Friday, January 9, 2015, from the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California, Francisco Santana (22-3-1, 11 KOs) faced off against the previously unbeaten Kendal Mena (20-1, 11 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight fight.
The bout was the co-featured fight on the season premiere of ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights.
Santana, who notched a big win over hot prospect and previously undefeated Eddie Gomez in mid 2014, came in riding an impressive nine-fight win streak. The last time he lost was by decision to standout contender, Jermell Charlo, in 2011.
Although undefeated, Mena came in with a padded record and was taking a huge step up in class against Santana. Three of Mena’s victories came against one opponent, named Rafael de La Cruz, who holds a record of 3-66, 1 KOs. Yes, you read that right.
Having said all that it wasn’t much of a surprise when Santana caught Mena with a monstrous left hook that sent him crashing to the deck.
RT @osunaespn: Devastador KO Santana pic.twitter.com/W9umxc0g1z
— Noche de Combates (@ESPNBoxeo) January 10, 2015
The year is young, but that is certainly one of the must vicious KO’s you’ll see at any point in 2015. Let this be lesson to any fighter–and manager for that matter. You don’t play boxing and undefeated records don’t always tell the story.
