Last week, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) announced that boxing superstar and unified featherweight champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (47-4-1, 31 KOs) will now face Boxlab Promotions’ undefeated Reina Tellez (13-0-1, 5 KOs) for the unified WBA and WBO world titles on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico, live on DAZN.
Tellez replaced Erika Cruz after an atypical finding in Cruz’s Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) testing conducted prior to the event, transforming the prospect to world title contender practically overnight.
FightsATW recently spoke to Tellez about this life-changing opportunity—the biggest fight of her young career.
“I was actually sitting on the couch,” Tellez recalled about the day she was notified that she’d be fighting Serrano for a world title. “I was shocked at first. We were waiting on a new fight date to come. And then you get a call that you’re going to fight Amanda Serrano, and I was like, are you serious? This is a life-changing opportunity. Not a lot of people get this opportunity to be on a platform, let alone fight somebody they watched growing up.”
To put it in perspective, Tellez was only six years old when Serrano had her first professional bout. In fact, Tellez wouldn’t pick up boxing gloves for another two years.
Tellez, 22, now based in San Antonio, Texas (with roots in Florida), started boxing at age 8. At 12, she moved to Texas to train with her childhood coach. She enjoyed an extensive amateur career, winning multiple National and Junior Olympics championships and representing Team USA. Tellez describes herself as family-oriented with a strong support system. Two years ago, she returned to boxing after having her son (now 4). In that time, she’s gone undefeated with 13 wins, five by KO, and now challenges for the unified featherweight titles against one of the greatest women’s boxers in history.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I want to do it. I have to do it. Everything that I’ve worked for my whole life—this is the time to show that,” said Tellez.
Tellez received only about three weeks’ notice to prepare. Add in moving up in weight and fighting 10 three-minute rounds. She faces daunting odds against not only her toughest opponent to date, but a fighter widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound in the world.
How is Tellez handling the mental and physical pressures of a contest with so many new variables?
“I feel that has a lot to do with my team. They have that faith in me. They love me, and they give me that extra push and motivation on top of what I already have,” Tellez told FightsATW. “For me, it’s a high-risk, high-reward type of fight. You’re never going to get these opportunities again. I can say I already won, because what 22-year-olds are taking these opportunities? People around her age, in their 30s, with more fights than me, didn’t want to take the fight. I have the courage, support, and heart to say that this is what I want to do. I’m still early in my career. Win, lose, or draw, I’m going to have so much more down the line. I know my team is always going to protect me and do what’s best for me. Where can I really lose with that?”
Tellez’s favorite fighter is Irish star Katie Taylor, widely considered one of the greatest women’s boxers ever, who defeated Amanda Serrano in all three of their epic encounters.
Is there anything the young contender can borrow from Taylor’s toolbox against the Puerto Rican superstar?
The Texan simply said: “Footwork.”
Serrano is a relentless forward-pressure fighter whose defense is often her offense. She holds the second-most knockouts (31) by a female boxer, behind only Christy Martin’s 32.
Are you concerned with her power? FightsATW asked.
“She’s a grown woman; she has her full power and that experience. I would say I have to be careful and not stay flat-footed where she can benefit from that,” said Tellez.
Mexico vs. Puerto Rico is one of boxing’s greatest rivalries. Regarding a quote from Serrano: “Saturday, January 3, is about showing the world once again what Puerto Rican fighters are made of,” Tellez responded: “I know that there have been a lot of rivalries, and they are entertaining too. But I’m not really into the whole rivalry thing. She is an amazing fighter. I see her more for who she is as a fighter and who she is as a woman, instead of the people she brings, because I know she feeds off that energy.”
What doesn’t Serrano know about you?
“She is overlooking my age and my experience, which is understandable because a lot of people do,” said Tellez.
Serrano, at 37, is in the later stages of her legendary career. A loss on January 3 would mark her third defeat in less than two years (following the Taylor trilogy). Could an upset by Tellez push the beloved Puerto Rican champion toward retirement?
“I don’t feel like if she takes a loss from me, she’s going to retire. Because if she wanted to do that, she would’ve done it after the Katie Taylor fights. Those were wars. I feel like she has enough respect earned to say that she can do it on her own time,” said Tellez.
After January 3, what’s next for Tellez?
“More than I can ask for. Win, lose, or draw, it will help me forward and put me in those world title conversations. I’m not the type to show my body off or sexualize the sport—I know that’s a big thing for some women. I don’t talk a lot of mess, and I know those things get you out there. I’m very quiet; I stay to myself. So, with this opportunity, it’s going to give me a platform to put myself out there,” said Tellez.
FightsATW asked, “Why should people watch you?”
“Because I am the new generation. You’ve got to watch the new generation because they’ll sneak up on you and show you something you’re not used to,” said Tellez. “Catch me on January 3. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity. A lot of people can be nasty and say what they want to say, but there is no need, because I showed the courage to get in there with one of the best of all time. And not a lot of people do that. For me to say yes and get on the platform—it’s a win for me.”
My Take: You remember the Rocky movie, don’t you? Rocky, the fictional underdog—an unknown, unranked fighter—gets a shot at the world title after the champion’s opponent gets injured. That’s the classic “Rocky Moment.” For Tellez, her “Rocky Moment” arrived the instant she accepted the call to fight Serrano. Three weeks’ notice, moving up a weight class, and stepping in for 10 three-minute rounds against a monster like Serrano—these seem like insurmountable obstacles for the 22-year-old Texan, who hasn’t gone beyond eight rounds or faced anyone near Serrano’s level.
But this is boxing, and as legendary commentator Larry Merchant used to say, “Boxing is the theater of the unexpected.”
Tellez brings a stellar amateur pedigree, sharp skills, and enough power to make it a long night for Serrano—and possibly pull off the upset against the longtime Puerto Rican champion. For those who think this will be an easy night for Serrano: Don’t ever underestimate an underdog’s “Rocky Moment.”
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