Becoming a world champion boxer has long been in the sights of Fort Stockton born boxer Abel Mendoza.

The longtime Pecos resident, who is currently training out of Odessa and Midland, started his boxing career at 8-years-old.

Mendoza amassed nearly 300 fights as amateur, fighting in Fort Stockton, West Texas, the Southwest, and Mexico before becoming a professional. The Andress High School graduate won his first belt at the age of 14 and has since become one of the most successful boxers in the western region of the state.

“I want to accomplish this to inspire the youth, the next generation. To be a good example for the kids,” Mendoza said. “I want to do this to show people if I can do it, they can do it. Coming from a small town anything is possible.”

Since becoming a professional the 25-year-old has only had one thing in mind – to be the best in the world in his weight class.

“It’s about being a world champion. What matters to me is being the best,” he said. “Money comes and goes.”

Mendoza, who lived the first 4-5 years of his life in Fort Stockton, will put his perfect record of 29-0 on the line on Saturday, July 31 at the Warriors On The Rez boxing event held at Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino in Mescalero, New Mexico.

Mendoza will fight the most seasoned fighter he has ever crossed paths with in Herman Meraz – a 34-year-old that has a 65-30-9 record – in a super featherweight bout (130 pounds). – as the co-main event of the evening.

Mendoza has accumulated 22 knockouts in his 29 professional fights, and that high KO percentage is the main reason why he picked Meraz. His opponent on Saturday evening has proved to possess the extraordinary ability to go the distance no matter who he is facing.

“The reason we chose him, even though he has a lot of losses, he’s never been knocked out. I want to try and do this. He’s fought a lot of Olympians and prospects, and nobody’s been able to stop him,” Mendoza said.

Momentum will be in favor of the undefeated West Texas boxing star when he enters the ring on Friday night. Mendoza knocked out Daniel Mendez (18-4) in the third round in a boxing match for a WBA regional title a month ago in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Also know as Zorro in the ring, Mendoza said while he’s not overlooking his opponent, he does see a world title fight in his grasp by the end of 2022.

One of the primary reasons that he has yet to fight for a world title bout is because he has no manager or promoter.

The No. 10 ranked fighter in the WBA Latino America rankings said it’s not due to the lack of offers, but rather the freedom he has with no manager or promoter.

“I’m trying to stay independent as long as possible because I’m able to be free. Fight when I want, control my career,” he said. “I just like being my own boss, being able to fight wherever or whoever.”

Promoters such as Oscar De La Hoya have reached out to Mendoza to gauge his interest in signing with their promotions. The decision to do so is one that will come sooner rather than later according to Mendoza.

“I’m going to make a decision pretty soon. I’ll try and make the right one,” he added.

Mendoza visits Fort Stockton from time to time to visit family and friends. The 25-year-old’s family that lives in Fort Stockton includes Eva Galindo, aunt; Jesus Guevara, uncle; Domingo Escontrias, cousin; Elfida Escontrias, aunt.