Sergio Mendoza (28-1, 24 KOs) pulled off a major upset by stopping Ricardo Sandoval (27-3, 18 KOs) in the fifth round to win the WBA and WBC flyweight titles at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
Mendoza dedicated the victory to his brother, who recently passed away.
“I’m gonna dedicate this incredible win to my brother that just passed away. But the emotions that are going through me are incredible. But all the hard work finally paid off,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza stepped in as a replacement for Oscar Collazo, who withdrew after suffering an injury.
The Mexican dropped Sandoval twice in the second round. A right hand produced the first knockdown before a left uppercut sent Sandoval down again late in the round.
Sandoval recovered and made the fight more competitive in the third and fourth rounds, but Mendoza’s power proved decisive.
Mendoza scored his third knockdown in the fifth before swarming Sandoval with another attack. The referee stopped the fight at 1:46.
The victory came six months after Mendoza suffered a second-round knockout loss to IBF junior flyweight champion Thanongsak Simsri.
“All the hard work paid off. I’m a natural 112-pounder and this showed it. I knew my power would be effective at 112 and it was. I’m in shock right now. Viva Mexico!” Mendoza said.
Promoter Oscar De La Hoya praised Mendoza for capitalizing on the opportunity after stepping into the fight on short notice.
Undercard
- Jahmal Harvey (5-0, 4 KOs) stopped Pedro Castaneda (9-2-1, 5 KOs) in the third round after dropping him with a left hand. The fight was stopped at 1:08.
- Jan Paul Rivera (17-0, 7 KOs) defeated Abraham Perfecto (14-3, 9 KOs) by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring it 99-89. Rivera dropped Perfecto with a left hook in the second round.