In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Amanda Serrano successfully defended her WBA, WBO, and Ring Magazine featherweight titles with a unanimous decision victory over Reina Tellez on Saturday night. The bout, held at the iconic Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico, marked Serrano’s first title defense in her homeland since 2021.
The 37-year-old seven-division world champion demonstrated her vast experience and ring control throughout the 10-round contest. Despite facing adversity in the form of a swollen right eye caused by an overhand left from Tellez in the fifth round, Serrano persevered and dominated the latter half of the fight. The judges’ scorecards reflected Serrano’s dominance, with all three scoring the bout in her favor: 98-92, 97-93, and 97-93.
Tellez, who entered the ring with a record of 13-1-1, accepted the fight on short notice after Serrano’s original opponent, Erika Cruz, was pulled from the bout due to an adverse drug test finding. Although Tellez missed weight, making her ineligible to win the titles, she proved to be a game challenger, landing some impressive power punches early in the bout. However, Serrano’s high-volume output and body work in the middle and late rounds secured her victory.
With this win, Serrano extends her professional record to 48 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw. The victory comes after consecutive losses to undisputed light-welterweight champion Katie Taylor, whom Serrano has faced three times. Serrano expressed optimism about her future performances at featherweight, noting that she hadn’t fought at the weight in two years.
The undercard of the event featured several notable bouts, including Stephanie Han’s technical knockout victory over Holly Holm for the WBA World lightweight title. The fight was stopped after the seventh round due to an accidental headbutt. Additionally, Jonathan Gonzalez and Alexis Araiza Mones secured wins in their respective matches.
Serrano’s triumphant title defense in front of her hometown crowd sets the stage for her next chapter in the featherweight division. As she continues to pile up opportunities with Most Valuable Promotions, boxing enthusiasts eagerly await her next move.
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