Two weeks from tonight Toe-To-Toe Tuesdays on FS1 returns with a matchup between two fighters desperate for a win. Ukrainian born Ivan Redkach (20-2-1, 16 KOs) will fight Dominican former titlist Argenis Mendez (23-5-1, 12 KOs) in the lightweight main event. Super bantamweight prospect Brandon Figueroa (11-0, 8 KOs), brother of Omar, fights in the co-feature.
FS1 has certainly put on better cards, but I must admit this is somewhat satisfying matchmaking from a momentum perspective. Redkach was 18-0, but he has gone 2-2-1 over his last five as the level of competition increased. His losses have been a wide decision to a surging Tevin Farmer as well as a TKO lost to a high level talent in Dejan Zlaticanin. His best win to date has probably been a 2014 decision over Canadian fringe contender Tony Luis. Ivan Redkach needs a win here.
Argenis Mendez won the IBF junior lightweight title with an impressive early 2013 stoppage over Juan Carlos Salgado. Since that high, however, he is 2-3-1 with an additional no contest. His losses have come against very high level fighters and in Rances Barthelemy, Robert Easter Jr, and Luke Campbell, as was his draw against another good fighter in Arash Usamee. In between some of these losses Mendez won a 2015 decision over former titlist Miguel Vasquez. Redkach represents a very winnable fight to Mendez relative to what he has been. Argenis Mendez needs a win here.
After May 2nd one career will be on life support while the other will have a second chance. I can’t argue with that sort of matchmaking.
Co-featured 20 year old prospect Brandon Figueroa takes on a club fighter in Mexican Luis Fernando Saavedra (7-2, 3 KOs). Figueroa’s resume is littered with fighters like Saaverda. It is understandable that Figueroa be moved so slowly at his age and experience level and this fight is no different.
