The undefeated Bastien Ballesta (28) defends his international super-lightweight belt against former multiple champion Yvan Mendy (37), Thursday night at the Palais des Sports in Castelnau-le-Lez, near Montpellier.
In a Championship presented as “the fight of the year in France” by the organizers, the left-hander Bastien Ballesta (28 years, 1.75 m, 25 wins, including 5 before the limit, 1 draw, 0 loss) defends his IBF-International super-lightweight belt (-63.503 kg) against Yvan Mendy (37 years, 1.74 m, 47 v., including 22 before the lim., 1 n., 6 d. to the points), Thursday evening at the Palais des Sports in Castelnau-le-Lez, near Montpellier.
The fights between the young who arrives and the former champion, have always been a great success. Generally, the youngster wins, even if heavyweight Carlos Takam (42) showed the opposite against Tony Yoka (31) last March.
Son of Patrick Ballesta, himself beaten in the European Championship of super-lightweight by Khalid Rahilou in 1995 in the same Palais des Sports of Castelnau, Bastien has been a pro since 2015. Benefiting from a job arranged at the General Council of Hérault, he is trained in the Paris region, in Les Mureaux, by Abadillah Hallab. Winner of four France Championships and various international titles (IBO-Mediterranean, WBC-French, European Union, IBF-International), he has never faced a famous man like Mendy.
“I know I’m at the end of my career, but facing an undefeated man at home motivates me.”
Pro since 2006, the man from Pont-Sainte-Maxence (Oise), initially super-lightweight. Was successful by going down to lightweight (-61.235 kg) in 2013. He inflicted his first pro defeat on Olympic champion Luke Campbell in London in 2015. Became WBC-Silver champion in 2017, WBA-Gold champion in 2019 and European champion in March 2022. But, for his first European defence last December in London, he disappointed by losing on points against the Ukrainian Berinchyk. “I wasn’t at my best,” he admits. I was asked if I was going to stop, but I didn’t want to answer hot. Thought and quickly found the desire. I know I’m at the end of my career, but facing an undefeated player at home motivates me. And also to show that I’m still here. »
In an attempt to revive himself, Mendy accepted the offer to face Ballesta in his former category. “Then,” says the Picard, “I will go down in light.”
The Championship organized by Le Cercle Mozart, an association under the 1901 law. Whose aim is to reflect on the economic, financial and social problems of the Montpellier region. With more than 300 members (business leaders, civil servants, etc.), he decided to help Ballesta. For the greater good of French boxing in need of promoters.
