Amanda Serrano kept her belts, but got a good fight from Reina Tellaz.
Amanda Serrano successfully defended her WBA and WBO featherweight titles, beating a game Reina Tellez by unanimous decision over 10, three-minute rounds, in front of a lively crowd in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Serrano (48-4-1, 31 KO) was chasing Christy Martin’s KO mark of 32, but didn’t quite get there, though she did press hard in the final round, and the fans tried willing her on to do it with great support.
Late-notice opponent Tellez (13-1-1, 5 KO) deserves real credit for taking good shots from the far more proven and experienced Serrano, who was a heavy favorite coming in, and also landing plenty of shots of her own. The underdog never gave up on this fight, but she was cleanly and fairly beaten.
Serrano vs Tellez scorecards
Speaking of fair, the judges officially scored the bout 97-93, 97-93, and 98-92 for Serrano, all of them good scores that didn’t showcase any of the sleepwalking we often see from judges in a matchup like this. Tellez had her successes in the fight, and the cards reflected that.
Bad Left Hook unofficially scored it 98-92 for Serrano.
What Amanda Serrano said after the fight
“I’m super thankful and grateful to Reina for coming on short notice, and coming and fighting. She’s a warrior. I told her (just) now, after the fight, don’t worry, she will be fighting for MVP again. We’re gonna give her another couple opportunities because she proved tonight she’s a warrior. She fought like an undefeated fighter tonight.”
“It feels good to be back at 126, at featherweight. I feel good, I feel I gave the fans a show. … I’m super happy I was able to fulfill another dream of fighting here once again for my people.”
“There’s a lot of new girls, new champions at featherweight, that’s nice to see. Maybe one day we can all get together and just fight each other.”
What Reina Tellez said after the fight
“I’d never been 10 rounds, let alone three minute (rounds), and I just did that with one of the best in the world, somebody I’ve idolized my whole life. I stood in there and I fought to the end. Whatever anybody had to say about me, good or bad, I stayed focused, and I showed them tonight what’s up.”
“I was too much in my head about getting caught, but it’s a learning experience. I took it all in.”
Category: General Sports
