Ivan Redkach & Argenis Mendez Clash in Main Event of PBC on FS1

Photo from Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

STUDIO CITY, CA. (April 18, 2017) – Exciting lightweight prospects collide as Ivan Redkach (20-2-1, 16 KOs) battles former world champion Argenis Mendez (23-5-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-round showdown that headlines Premier Boxing Champions TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes Tuesday, May 2 from the world famous Sportsmen’s Lodge Event Center in Studio City, California promoted by featherweight world champion and fan favorite Leo Santa Cruz’s Last Round Promotions.

Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features unbeaten super bantamweight prospect Brandon Figueroa (11-0, 8 KOs) battling Mexico’s Luis Saavedra (7-2, 3 KOs) in an eight-round bout and the cousin of three-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz, Antonio Santa Cruz (5-2, 2 KOs) taking on Mexico’s Arturo Torres (7-5-1, 2 KOs) in a six-round bantamweight fight.

Tickets for the live event promoted by Last Round Promotions are priced at $35, $55 and $105, and are on sale now. To purchase tickets visit www.eventbrite.com or call (818) 817-8001.

“I’m so excited about promoting this show, because I love great boxing and great fans and everyone knows that LA has some of the best,” said Santa Cruz. “Ivan Redkach and Argenis Mendez are always up for a fight. Mendez wants to get back in the championship ranks and Redkach wants to get to that same level. That makes for a good match. It’s also exciting for me to be able to work on a promotion with my family, the fighters from our gym and to be able to help my cousin, Antonio, launch his career.”

“I’m very thankful for this opportunity to fight Argenis Mendez,” said Redkach. “He is a solid fighter, a professional and on May 2, we’ll both be ready to put on a show for our fans. I know that this victory will lead to even bigger fights. I’m very thankful to FS1, FOX Deportes and my friend Leo Santa Cruz for making this happen.”

“As a former world champion, I know that these are the kinds of fights that I have to win to stay in contention for another championship,” said Mendez. “Ivan Redkach is a tough fighter, but I will be prepared for victory on May 2.”

It will be a family affair as Leo’s father, Jose, and brother, Antonio, will work the corner for several of the fighters on the card that train at Who’s Next Boxing Academy in City of Industry, and former world champion Omar Figueroa will be on hand to cheer for his brother Brandon.

Originally from Ukraine but now training in California with Jose Santa Cruz, Redkach most recently scored an eighth-round stoppage of Demond Brock in January in Las Vegas. A pro since 2009, the 31-year-old Redkach was unbeaten in his first 18 pro fights before dropping a contest to former world champion Dejan Zlaticanin. In his last appearance on FS1 & FOX Deportes last April, Redkach fought to a split-draw in a back and forth contest against Puerto Rican contender Luis Cruz.

A 2004 Olympian for the Dominican Republic, Mendez lives and trains out of Brooklyn as he seeks a world title in a second weight class. The 30-year-old won his world title with a knockout victory over Juan Carlos Salgado in 2013 and defeated former world champion Miguel Vazquez in his second fight as a lightweight in 2015.

The 20-year-old Brandon Figueroa turned pro in May of 2015 by defeating Hector Gutierrez and followed that up by stopping Ricardo Mena, Ramiro Ruiz and Francisco Muro to close out the year. The Weslaco-native has stayed busy in 2016, picking up six victories, including five by way of stoppage before starting 2017 with a fourth-round stoppage of Raul Chirino in February.

Fighting out of San Luis Potosi, Mexico Saavedra made his U.S. debut in November of last year, winning a six round decision over Josue Morales in Texas. A pro since 2014, Saavedra won four of his first five fights and has never been stopped in nine bouts heading into his television debut on May 2.

Part of the fighting Santa Cruz family, the 20-year-old Santa Cruz enters this fight on a four-bout winning streak including a 2017 debut that saw him win a unanimous decision over Victor Torres in January. A pro since 2015, Santa Cruz fights out of San Gabriel, California and will look to make it five straight wins on May 2.

The 21-year-old Torres enters this fight a five-bout winning streak including three victories in 2016. The fighter out of Tlajomulca, Jalisco, Mexico most recently scored a second round knockout of Rafael Rivera last November in California. He will fight for the fourth time in the U.S. on May 2, having never lost stateside.