By Reynaldo Sanchez

IBF super featherweight champion Argenis Mendez (21-2-1, 11KOs) is working hard at the Iron Mike Productions Gym in Deerfield, Florida. On January 3rd at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Mendez will make a mandatory defense of his championship against mandatory challenger Rances Barthelemy (19-0, 12KOs). Their showdown will be televised as the season opening main event attraction for ESPN's Friday Night Fights.