Photo by Goldenboy Promotions
Paul Mendez of Salinas, CA knew even in front of his hometown crowd, he had a challenge in store for his 10 round Super Middleweight bout against David Lopez of Nogales, Mexico.
“He doesn’t have 24 knockouts for nothing, he’s a veteran, he’s crafty.” Mendez explained to Round By Round Boxing after his split decision victory for Golden Boy Live on Fox Sports 1.
Mendez felt the pressure of Lopez throughout the fight as Lopez seemed to be the larger fighter. Mendez is typically used to being the taller and stronger fighter as a 6 ft 2 super middleweight.
“What’s different is that when they are bigger, you really feel their presence, but what was really difficult was that he is a southpaw,” said Mendez.
Mendez was able to mediate the southpaw, Lopez, by using a combination of his jab and his foot speed to keep the flat footed Lopez from working within close range too often.
Mendez and Lopez traded equal power exchanges to one another’s chin for a great deal of fight.
“I felt his strength, I felt his power, I knew he was durable. I cracked him with my best shot and when he cracked me with his best shot, I took it. It also made me aware this guy can punch, he doesn’t have 24 knockouts for nothing.”
Mendez stayed active with his jab and his feet, cutting off the ring effectively.
One can only assume that being a sparring partner for GGG in the past, it in someway helps with finding ways to cut off the ring effectively and developing an absorbent chin.
“I stuck to man game plan, as best as I could, and I got the W. “It was a good fight, a good learning experience for me.” Mendez said contently.
To be the main event in his hometown meant a lot to Mendez as well as wining in front of his friends and family.
“I had so much support here, you could hear it in the crowd. I was kind of disappointed I couldn’t get the guy out and make it more spectacular but you know, you live and learn and on to the next one,” said Mendez.
Mendez enjoyed his split decision victory in front of his hometown of Salinas, CA and the Fox Sports 1 viewers but also looks towards his future.
Mendez explained to expect “big things…. This is one of the guys I had to get passed to get ranked top 10, top 20, and I want one of those top 10 fighters. So you know, bring them to me.”
Alan Sanchez of Fairfield, CA beats Carlos Lozano of Loas Angeles, CA by unanimous decision after 8 rounds of boxing in the junior middleweight division.
Sanchez was effective with his jab and able to keep Lozano away for most of the bout. Lozano had some success in the middle rounds when we was able to mediate the distance, work inside and then clinch.
Sanchez thought continued to keep an effective jab allowing him to set up effective straight punch combinations. Sanchez was very effective with his straight left, right, left combination, which he was able to land often.
Sanchez also showed very impressive feet as he was able to pivot and dance out of any unfavorable ring position with ease. Impressive unanimous decision victory for Alan Sanchez as he remained patient and in control throughout all 8 rounds.
Andy Vences of San Jose, CA landed a big right hand on the chin of Santiago Guevara of Los Angeles, CA in the 4th round knocking him down to one knee.
Once returning to his feet Guevara let the referee know he was unable to continue and the fight was called to a stop at 37 seconds of round 4. Andy Vences was effective with jabs bringing double and triple jabs with him most of the fight, this allowed him to setup his always devastating hooks, body shots and powerful right hands.
Vences looked solid tonight and is undoubtably a prospect to keep an eye on on in the lightweight division.
