On September 2nd in Yokohama, Japan, ex-champion Wilfredo “Bimbito” Méndez will face Japan's Takeshi Ishii with the WBA minimumweight title on the line. Mendez, from Puerto Rico is 20-3-2. The title was vacated by Oscar Collazo, who is moving up two weight divisions to flyweight. Mendez is a former WBO minimumweight champion who reigned from 2019 through 2021. In his most recent outing, on September 20, 2025, he fought André Manuel Rodríguez to a split-decision draw. Méndez, a southpaw, is known for his polished stance and elusive footwork and is expected to focus on controlling the tempo from long and mid-range.

 

Ishii (11-1) will step into the ring backed by the trademark discipline of the Japanese boxing school, bringing an relentless punching pace, solid conditioning and a strong offensive mindset. The Japanese challenger will look to capitalize on his speed in close quarters and apply constant pressure to cut off the ring, attempting to smother his opponent’s movement with sharp hooks to the body. Ishii returns to action following a one-year layoff. The Japanese fighter was last seen in September 2025, when he earned a unanimous decision victory over Filipino Jake Amparon.