Amanda Serrano showed her strength by defending her WBA and WBO featherweight titles with a decisive win over Reina Tellez on Saturday night in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The fight, which went the full 10 rounds, saw Serrano earning scores of 97-93 from two judges and 98-92 from the third.
Serrano (48-4-1, 30 KOs) was back in her preferred weight class after two tough losses to Katie Taylor. She expressed her relief and excitement to be fighting at 126 pounds again. “It feels amazing to fight in Puerto Rico,” she said. “I finally gave the fans a show.”
Tellez (13-1-1) stepped in on short notice, just 15 days before the match, after Serrano’s original opponent was sidelined due to a drug test issue. Despite the odds, Tellez held her own. “I fought one of the best in the world,” she remarked. “I showed everyone I can hang in there.”
Serrano’s experience was clear from the start. She attacked energetically, but Tellez showcased her grit, even causing some swelling around Serrano’s eye from an accidental head clash. The champion adjusted her tactics as the fight progressed, targeting Tellez’s body with powerful punches.
By the fifth round, Serrano was in control, even while Tellez remained tough. Serrano’s pursuit of a knockout in the final round left an impression, but Tellez made it to the end, gaining valuable experience from the bout.
At 37, Serrano isn’t done yet. She hinted at her desire to continue competing in the featherweight division. “There are new champions out there,” she noted, potentially setting the stage for exciting matchups ahead.
In another notable fight on the card, Stephanie Han defended her WBA lightweight title against Holly Holm, winning by technical unanimous decision after an accidental headbutt forced the fight to stop in the seventh round. Han was in control throughout, landing significantly more punches—87 to Holm’s 29.
This victory progresses Han’s impressive run as she continues to establish her presence in the boxing world, a scene that is undeniably evolving with new and returning talent.
Overall, the night highlighted not only Serrano’s impressive return but the potential for future matchups as the women’s boxing scene continues to grow and gain recognition.
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