Mendez claims IBF strap

Argenis Mendez claimed the IBF super-featherwight title with a devastating fourth round stoppage of champion Juan Carlos Salgado in California.

Salgado had won their first fight for the title in 2011 via unanimous decision but Mendez was slow to get going on that occasion in his first title fight.

It was a very different story this time around as Mendez unloaded a straight right hand that dropped his opponent in the opening session.

Mendez moved forward at every opportunity and looked too fast and too big for Salgado, who was defending his title for the fourth time.

The end came swiftly in the fourth round - a left hand ending matters and giving the 26-year-old Dominican a taste of glory.

Mendez had insisted on being trained by Manchester's Lee Beard ahead of the fight and the move paid, with the fighter's stock sure to rise after such an impressive win.