Three fighters. Three tough assignments. One gym determined to prove it belongs amongst the best in New England.
That’s the challenge facing trainer Wilner Mendez on Saturday, October 3, when Douglas “El Uno” Marroquin, Victor Guerra Vargas and Terrence Williams step into the ring at CES Boxing’s Autumn Classic 2026 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT.
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The three pugilists, who train at Wilner Mendez Boxing in Norwalk, will compete in six-round bouts that promise to test their skills, resolve and ambitions.
For Mendez, that’s exactly the point.
“We don’t want easy fights,” said the Mexico City native. “Fighting tomato cans doesn’t do anything for us. I tell my guys, ‘I don’t care if the opponent is undefeated or how tough he is. Show me how badly you want it.’”
A Dream Built in Norwalk
A former professional fighter who went unbeaten in three bouts, Mendez knows how difficult it can be to navigate boxing without the right guidance. After more than 60 amateur fights, he turned professional at 26 before family responsibilities during COVID eventually shifted his focus toward providing others with the opportunities he had struggled to find.
The father of four started his gym as a small studio behind his home, where he trained amateur fighters while saving toward a permanent location. In 2023, he opened the gym that now serves as the home base for the three professionals preparing for Hartford and several amateurs.
“I didn’t find the mentor I needed at the right time, when I was young and hungry,” said Mendez. “So I decided I would give these guys everything I know.”
That means teaching more than combinations. Mendez helps his fighters understand the business, promote themselves and build the discipline necessary to turn talent into a career.
“You can fake it on social media, but you can’t fake it in the ring,” said Mendez of fighters who talk tough online but fail to challenge themselves in the ring.
Mendez believes that each of his fighters competing on October 3 have a great chance of being successful.
“As a trainer, I need to understand their styles and their opponents so I can prepare them properly,” explains Mendez. “Douglas has more of a Mexican style. He likes to change angles and work the body. Victor can box, but he likes to fight. He’s physically strong and has a lot of power. I’m trying to help him control that because it isn’t always about power. Terrence is a very good boxer. All of them can fight, box, and cut off the ring. They just have to understand when to box and when to fight.”
Marroquin Welcomes A War
Leading the charge for Wilner Mendez Boxing is Stamford middleweight Douglas “El Uno” Marroquin (11-0, 6 KOs), who battles Brooklyn-based Georgian Lasha Gurguliani (20-6, 9 KOs) in the co-feature.
The 28-year-old Marroquin has already defeated four undefeated opponents in his 3 year career, embracing the kind of matchmaking that can separate a contender from a hype-job. Now the fighter of Mexican and Guatemalan descent meets a 35-year-old veteran with more than twice his professional experience.
“I’m 11-0, and four undefeated fighters have come to try to take my ‘O’ and chop my head off,” said Marroquin. “You don’t see that very often. I’m proud of it, but I’m also thankful to God for the opportunity, to my coaches and trainers, and to everybody supporting me.”
An aggressive body puncher who enjoys working at close quarters, Marroquin expects Gurguliani to give him another opportunity to show what he’s made of.
“I know it’ll be a war,” admits Marroquin. “He’s strong, and he packs a punch. But diamonds are made under pressure, right? We’re going to see who’s the diamond.”
Vargas Aims to Touch ‘The Untouchable’
Norwalk-based Venezuelan Victor Guerra Vargas (3-0, 2 KOs) faces an intriguing style matchup against Las Vegas-based Cuban Darian “The Untouchable” Castro (4-0, 1 KO) in a showdown of unbeaten welterweights.
The 28-year-old Vargas will need to solve the speed, movement and southpaw stance of the 23-year-old Castro as he steps into his first six-round contest.
“He’s an excellent boxer with a lot of speed,” admitted Vargas. “He moves a lot and he’s very elusive, but that’s what we’ve trained for.”
Vargas believes the lessons from his previous victory over another undefeated opponent, Raheem Davis, will serve him well. Faced with a taller boxer who could control the distance, he attacked the body and gradually took over the fight.
Against Castro, the objective is similar: make the elusive Cuban work, attack his body and slow his movement as the rounds progress.
“We need to start working from the first round, touching the body and wearing him down little by little,” explained Vargas. “We have the power to finish a fight, but we can’t rush straight in looking for the knockout. We have to follow a plan.”
And despite Castro’s nickname, Vargas has no intention of spending the night swinging at air.
“He won’t be ‘The Untouchable’ at the end of the night,” said Vargas. “We’re going to be able to hit him often.”
Williams: No Regrets
Norwalk super lightweight Terrence Williams (1-1) may have the toughest assignment on paper when he faces Waterbury’s Michael “The Savage” Kimbel (9-0, 6 KOs).
At 35, Williams understands that pursuing his dream requires taking chances. The nephew of former WBA super welterweight champion Travis Simms and fellow standout Tarvis Simms, Williams grew up around boxing. The slick boxer eventually followed in his uncles’ footsteps before spending a few years away from the sport to focus on a career outside of boxing.
Eventually, the possibility of looking back with regret brought him back to the gym.
“Once I got myself into a good financial position and was comfortable with my lifestyle, I could give my dream another shot,” reflects Williams. “I couldn’t live with regret. I didn’t want to sit there thinking, ‘What if? If I have this much talent, why didn’t I try?’”
Reconnecting with Mendez, a former amateur stablemate, gave Williams the guidance he needed.
“God places people in your life for a reason,” explained Williams. “Wilner was a good friend from the amateurs, when we were competing in the Golden Gloves and New York State championship tournaments. We connected again later in life when I was trying to find my way back into boxing. Without him, I would have been lost in terms of having the proper guidance and knowing how to navigate boxing.”
With his team in place, Williams hopes to make a statement against the unbeaten Kimbel.
“I’ve always wanted to challenge myself because I know I’m great,” said Williams. “I’m the naturally smaller fighter, but I’m slightly taller, so I have to use my strengths: boxing, sticking and moving, and mixing it up a little, too. I do like to fight, but boxing is about being smart.”
One Team, Three Fights
Though their styles and paths differ, Marroquin, Vargas and Williams have leaned on one another throughout camp. Marroquin’s pressure and body attack help prepare Vargas and Williams for exchanges inside, while Williams’ speed and movement gives Victor another look at the challenges Castro may present.
For Mendez, seeing all three on the same card is another step in a dream that began long before he had a gym of his own. On October 3, he’ll be a busy man in the corner, but his expectations are clear.
“They’re all tough fights,” admits Mendez. “I think Douglas’s fight will involve more brawling. Victor’s opponent will be tricky. He’ll have to cut off the ring, box him for the first couple of rounds, and then put on a lot of pressure. Terrence is facing a guy who’s 9-0, but he’s ready, and I can’t wait to see that fight. I think all 3 of my guys will have their hands raised.”
For more information on CES Autumn Classic 2026 and all other CES Boxing events, visit cesfights.com.
