By Robert Coster
WBA #1 junior bantamweight contender Norberto “Meneito” Jimenez has started his training in view of facing WBA 115lb champion Khalid Yafai of the United Kingdom. Jimenez (29-8-4, 16 KOs) of the Dominican Republic has informed Fightnews.com that his bout against Yafai should be a fact before the end of the year.
Says Jimenez, “I’m the number one contender and the Englishman has to fight me, no ifs or buts. I’m waiting for a letter from the WBA. Yafai, no more hiding from me, OK? Let’s get it on. I’m willing to fight you in your own backyard!”
The reigning champion is unbeaten at 24-0, 15 KOs, but Jimenez is no easy mark–the Dominican is a slick, unorthodox fighter who is known to rise to the occasion.
Jimenez started his career in dismal fashion, losing 8 of his first 11 fights but he then turned around his numbers and hasn’t lost a fight in over 7 years. In December 2014, Jimenez traveled to Japan and fought world Champion Kohei Kono, a bout which ended in a controversial draw.
“I didn’t win the title because referee Rafael Ramos took a point away from me,” remembers Jimenez, “but that is in the past– now my manager and I are waiting for the WBA to give us the green light to fight the champion in his country or wherever in the next three months.”