42-0 contender KO’d in one, loses twice in one night

Lightweight contender Abel Mendoza suffered a first-round beating at the hands of Daniel Morales as the Texan lost twice in one night.

Mendoza risked his reputation by making the bold decision to compete in the Team Combat League last month following a spell in 2024. Since then, the 42-0 star has lost nine times in the one-round format.

Morales, who is 8-0, 5 KOs in his professional career, is the first to stop Mendoza.

Team Combat League highlighted the fight on social media, such was the one-sided nature of the contest.

Lights out! Daniel Morales delivers a textbook hook that left the crowd speechless. That’s KO power in action.#TeamCombatLeague #DrPhilsMeritTV #MeritTV #TCLTeamBoxing #KO #Knockout #BoxingHIghlights pic.twitter.com/lBKhin3Elt

— Team Combat League (@tclboxing) May 25, 2025

Competing for Phoenix Fury, Mendoza lost another session of the card against Diego Dominguez. However, the Fury still managed to get the win over LA Elite at the Arizona Athletic Grounds.

The 29-year-old is currently training at Sonny’s Boxing Gym in Goodyear while he awaits a more significant offer. His most recent appearance was a back-up slot on the Ring Magazine Times Square card in New York.

The Fort Stockton native never saw action, though, and was merely a substitute for the Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero headliner.

Abel Mendoza represents Phoenix Fury in the lightweight division (135 lbs). Born on December 5, 1995, in Fort Stockton, Texas, he currently trains out of Sonny’s Boxing Gym in Goodyear, Arizona.

“I want to announce that I will be on standby just in case Ryan Garcia or Rolly Romero gets hurt during their upcoming fight in New York City,” he told World Boxing News.

“A lot of fighters have been getting hurt, and you never know, but now I’m on standby, staying ready, waiting for my shot!

“I’d say that they’re both elite fighters. I hope they don’t take me lightly when they fight me because I will be ready.”

Patiently awaiting a significant opportunity has become a theme for Mendoza since WBN began covering the fighter and his standout record on paper.

However, the more that emerges about Mendoza, the more fans and media ask questions about his ability to compete at the highest level.

A loss to 6-2 super flyweight Yusniel Abrahante during his TCL tenure is evidence of that.

Mendoza will undoubtedly argue that the three-minute format is far different from a ten or twelve-round contest in the professional ranks.

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Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay and learn more about the author. Phil has been an experienced boxing writer and World Boxing News Editor since 2010.