Amanda Serrano Dominates in Puerto Rico, Retains Titles

Amanda Serrano made a triumphant return to her natural weight class, successfully defending her WBA and WBO featherweight titles with a dominant unanimous decision over Reina Tellez on Saturday night at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The fight, which was scheduled for 10 three-minute rounds under men’s boxing rules, saw Serrano emerge victorious with scores of 97-93 from two judges and 98-92 from the third.

Serrano (48-4-1, 30 KOs) had previously dropped two straight fights to Katie Taylor at junior welterweight, but this victory marked her return to 126 pounds. “It feels amazing [to fight in Puerto Rico], but it feels even better to be back at 126 pounds,” Serrano said. “It’s been two years since I fought at this weight. So the next fights are going to be much, much better. I feel finally I gave the fans a show.”

Tellez (13-1-1), a 22-year-old challenger, accepted the fight on just 15 days’ notice after the original opponent, Erika Cruz, was pulled from the bout due to an adverse drug test. Despite being outclassed by Serrano, a seven-division world champion, Tellez showed resilience and determination throughout the fight.

“I’ve never been in 10 rounds, let alone three minutes, and I just did that with one of the best in the world,” Tellez said. “Against somebody I have idolized my whole life, I stood in there and fought to the end. So whatever anybody had to say about me, go to bed. I stayed focused, and I showed them tonight what’s up.”

From the opening bell, Serrano demonstrated her superior skill and experience, swarming Tellez with combinations and maintaining control throughout the fight. However, Tellez’s resilience kept the fight competitive, and she even caused some swelling under Serrano’s right eye from an accidental clash of heads.

As the fight progressed, Serrano adjusted her strategy, focusing on caution as the swelling increased. Her corner worked to keep the eye open, allowing Serrano to resume her high-volume offense in the later rounds. In Round 5, Serrano began targeting Tellez’s body, but the challenger held her ground, fighting off the champion’s advances.

Although Serrano was well ahead on the scorecards heading into the final round, she pursued a knockout, landing a series of body punches and combinations that rocked Tellez. However, Tellez managed to make it to the final bell, avoiding being Serrano’s 31st knockout victim. Her performance secured future opportunities under the Most Valuable Promotions banner.

At 37, Serrano confirmed that her career will continue and that she will remain in her natural weight class moving forward. However, she refrained from calling out any specific opponents. “There are a lot of new girls and new champions at featherweight,” Serrano said, referencing WBC champion Tiara Brown and IBF titleholder Nina Meinke. “Maybe one day we can all get together and just fight each other. I am the unified featherweight champion and there’s other champions out there.”

Co-Main Event: Stephanie Han Retains Lightweight Title

In the co-main event, Stephanie Han (12-0, 3 KOs) retained her WBA lightweight title with a technical unanimous decision over Holly Holm (34-3-3, 9 KOs). The fight was halted in the seventh round after an accidental headbutt caused a cut over Han’s right eye, leading the ringside doctor to declare her unable to continue.

Judges scored the fight 69-65, 69-64, and 68-65. Han, 35, dominated the fight from the second round onward, using her volume and counter right hand to control the pace. She outlanded Holm 87-29 and took control once she began timing her opponent’s advances.

Holm, 44, signed with Most Valuable Promotions last year after a successful MMA career, including her notable 2015 knockout of Ronda Rousey. She won her first boxing match in over a decade in June, defeating Yolanda Vega by unanimous decision. However, she struggled to mount much offense Saturday night, as Han’s speed neutralized the former three-division champion.