LOS ANGELES, December 13 – Following the biggest win of his young career over DonYil Livingston in September, Delano, California’s Paul “El Gallo Negro” Mendez hopes to keep his winning streak going on Saturday, December 15 when he meets Cuban veteran Lester “El Cubanito” Gonzalez for the vacant IBA Super Middleweight Championship in the main event of TeleFutura’s “Solo Boxeo Tecate” at the Salinas Storm Housein Salinas, California.
In the co-main event, scheduled for six rounds in the junior welterweight division, Watsonville’s Jonathan Garcia faces Mexican veteran Rodolfo Armenta.
Mendez vs. Gonzalez, a 10 round bout for the vacant IBA Super Middleweight Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Don Chargin Productions in association with Paco Presents and is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. PT on fight night and the first bell rings at 7:00 p.m. PT. The TeleFutura broadcast begins at12:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Tickets priced at $25, $45, and $65 can be purchased by calling the Salinas Storm House (831-754-1452), 2 Steps Ahead (831-757-5658), Kathy Garcia (831-261-3214) or Sam Garcia (831-261-052) or online at www.pacopresentsboxing.com.
A veteran of nearly four years in the pro game, 23-year-old Paul Mendez (10-2-1, 4 KO’s) is starting to realize his potential at 168 pounds with 2012 being a big year for the Delano product. After beginning the year with a six round draw against previously unbeaten Dmitry Chudinov, Mendez reeled off three straight wins, the biggest being a seventh round knockout over highly-regarded DonYil Livingston on September 22. Now unbeaten in five straight, Mendez hopes to set the stage for an even bigger 2013 by closing out 2012 in style on December 15.
Hailing from San Diego by way of Havana, Cuba, 35-year-old southpaw Lester Gonzalez (12-7-4, 6 KO’s) is a seasoned competitor who will test Mendez as the prospect attempts to move to the next level. Having been in the ring with the likes of Matt Korobov, Omar Henry, Bastie Samir and Marco Antonio Periban, Gonzalez’ reputation is secure as a tough out and the type of fighter who can hang with anyone he faces when the bell rings.
9-0 as a professional with seven knockouts thus far in a career that began in 2010, 21-year-old Jonathan Garcia has quickly become a must see prospect for California fight fans. His most recent win over Pedro Arcos in August was a shining example as he rose from two knockdowns in the first round to drop Arcos three times and win the fight in the first round. Expect more excitement Saturday night when he clashes with Los Mochis, Mexico’s Rodolfo “Bam Bam” Armenta (12-8-1, 9 KO’s), a 28-year-old banger who is coming off of a November 10 win over Wilbert Ortiz.
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