“As a fighter I’ve been in this game for a long time,” says Mendez about his background in combative sports. “Since I was a young kid I’ve been boxing. I’ve traveled all over the world and fought a lot of opponents with a lot of different styles. In and out of the ring it’s been an extraordinary time for me.”
Winning the National Golden Gloves tournament as the youngest member of his team at age 17, Mendes has also gone so far as being a part of the USA Team as a boxer. It’s an experience he counts as one of his most fulfilling yet as an athlete. “Being part of that really showed me how much my talents were appreciated as a fighter. Just being able to explore the world and see all these cities and countries was amazing. It enabled me to open my mind up to all these different things. It helped me become a well-rounded individual.”
Not wanting to stop there, JT is getting back into combative sports with MMA now being his focus as a professional.
“For the past 8 months I’ve been putting in the work with the Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Wrestling, and all kinds of technique. I think it’s just going to add more energy to me as a fighter to be able to try all these different things. By God’s grace I hope I can be successful at it. I just want to accomplish my goals; I’ve got lots of goals I want to accomplish in life. It’s about hard work, dedication, and commitment for prosperity and just having one. We only have one life to live or only get one shot at it sometimes. That’s how I look at it.”
This Friday night, he’ll get that one chance, or at least his first one, against Williams, an opponent many consider to be the overwhelming favorite.
Looking at his opponent, he knows he has a tough test at hand but one he’s ready for.
“I’ve seen fight a couple of times and I respect him as a fighter and as an opponent. He has some things he’s able to do that I like and some things he do [sic] that I don’t like. Overall he’s deserving of his hype. I don’t take nothing from him and I don’t talk bad on nobody’s name but hey, I’m a fighter just like you. I’ll earn my respect in the fight and I have that attitude that “when you’re sleeping, I’m training, and when I’m sleeping, you better hope you’re training.” It’s like that. I don’t wish nothing bad upon him but this is a combative sport so we’re going to try and take each other’s heads off and then we can be sportsmen about it after.”
“Between all the gyms, there have been a lot of people that have been helping me out and encouraging what I do. I just want to engage in this experience. I haven’t put in all this hard work and all this time and effort in for nothing. I’m trying to show everybody I’m not just a boxer but an all-around fighter. They’ll see that on February 24th. I just want say thank you to my team and my family for supporting me and putting their all behind me so I can do what I’m about to do. Thanks to everybody from Silverback, RSKA, and Savannah for helping me get ready. Thanks to Erika Hernandez for her support and belief in me to handle my business, I love her to death. Also thanks to Jeannie Delgado, Johanna Mendez, Jessica Sandoval and Frances Mendez – all very important women to me. Thanks to the almighty God for his grace in my life and allowing the things that take place. Last but not least Mick and Legacy Promotions for having me on the card! And thank you Mike for your time and the interview!”
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