Abel Mendoza’s unbeaten run will transfer ahead once more on Might 16, with a struggle towards Javier Rodriguez set to push the Texan towards 44-0.
The quantity is climbing — the credibility just isn’t.
On paper, the trajectory is obvious and on track to rack up probably the most distinguished resumes within the sport. However the deeper down the rabbit gap of lesser names Mendoza goes, the extra questions that file begins to boost.
Mendoza sits seven fights away from Floyd Mayweather’s 50-0 benchmark, a quantity that has outlined fashionable boxing’s excellent file.
Nevertheless, as has been the case all through his rise, the small print behind that standout determine inform a extra sophisticated story.
World Boxing Information has beforehand documented discrepancies round Mendoza’s ledger as bouts have been verified and added over time, together with a July 2025 Colombia outcome that formally moved him to 43-0.
The determine now stands after being briefly eliminated, however scrutiny over its depth has adopted him all through.
File vs actuality
After signing a latest promotional deal, Mendoza promised a step-up. In equity to him, Rodriguez is one in comparison with a number of the Colombia-staged occasions he’s been concerned in.
Premier Boxing Champions have seen sufficient in Mendoza to snap him as much as its roster. The expectation was that he would take a visual leap in school — not only a marginal one.
When a boxer aligns with PBC and Al Haymon, one of many high promoters in the USA, after which guarantees more durable assessments, it’s onerous to simply accept this because the Texan’s forty fourth struggle.
At phases over the previous few months, Mendoza has referred to as out Isaac Cruz and focused fights with Ryan Garcia and Rolando Romero. The expectation was clear — and this isn’t it.
However in the case of naming opponents, it’s been the identical constant story for Mendoza. This newest enterprise, due to this fact, falls in need of the development that was anticipated.
The 43-0 benchmark
Surpassing Terence Crawford’s 43-0, which Mendoza did final 12 months and may enhance on subsequent month at The Bomb Manufacturing facility in Dallas, ought to include some form of warning label.
The quantity carries weight by itself after comparisons when Crawford retired, however context frames how a lot it really means within the chilly gentle of day.
Crawford’s run to 43-0 got here towards elite opposition throughout a number of weight courses, culminating in undisputed success. Mendoza’s path, in contrast, has been constructed on exercise and quantity, typically towards opposition with padded information.
A number of opponents on that run arrived with shedding information or restricted expertise, reinforcing the sample.
That hole goes a protracted technique to explaining the response to this newest opponent.
Opponent beneath scrutiny
Because it seems, Rodriguez, paradoxically carrying the identical ‘Pitbull’ title as Cruz, arrives in poor type after eking his manner via a six-year profession that stalled in 2017.
He returned seven years later however has didn’t make an influence, with Mendoza set to be simply his third struggle in 9 years.
Rodriguez enters with a 17-3-3 file, however inactivity and lack of development depart severe questions on what he brings to the competition.
Much less like a Pitbull or extra a Miniature Bull Terrier by way of his place within the grand scheme of the game.
Closing on 50-0
Mendoza is transferring nearer to Mayweather’s 50-0, however with out the sort of defining fights that gave that file its that means within the first place.
Earlier WBN evaluation has already tracked how threats to Mayweather’s benchmark have come and gone, with fighters like Jaime Munguia and Gilberto Ramirez falling quick when stepping up, and others failing to take care of the exercise required to succeed in the quantity.
Mendoza now sits in a distinct class — one the place the file continues to climb, however the questions stay.
Reaching 44-0 retains him on track mathematically. The credibility nonetheless doesn’t observe.
Concerning the Creator
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing Information (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of expertise. He has interviewed world champions, damaged worldwide exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Learn full bio.
