Amanda Serrano’s Triumphant Return
In a triumphant return to her homeland, Amanda Serrano showcased her boxing prowess with a decisive points victory over Reina Tellez, marking the young fighter’s first career loss after an impressive 15-fight undefeated streak. The match took place at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where Serrano successfully defended her WBA, WBO, and Ring Magazine featherweight titles.
Match Highlights
At 37, Serrano fought at home for the first time since 2021, dominating the bout with precise combinations and strong ring strategy. Despite Tellez, an American who stepped in on short notice, managing to land an overhand left that caused some swelling around Serrano’s right eye in the fifth round, the veteran maintained control throughout the latter rounds. Judges scored the bout 98-92, 97-93, and 97-93 in favor of Serrano.
“I’m super thankful and grateful to Reina for coming on short notice and coming to fight,”
said Serrano, praising her opponent’s determination. This fight, which adhered to men’s boxing regulations, was contested over ten three-minute rounds. Serrano’s victory further extends her professional record to 48 wins, four losses—three of which were against Katie Taylor—and one draw.
“It’s been two years since I fought at this weight. I feel the next fights are going to be much better and I’m glad I could give the fans a show,”
Serrano remarked, hinting at future unification matches against champions like Tiara Brown and Nina Meinke.
Co-Main Event
In the co-main event, Holly Holm, a notable figure in combat sports, aimed for a milestone as a four-division champion but fell short against WBA lightweight titleholder Stephanie Han. The fight ended in the seventh round when the ringside physician intervened due to a cut on Han’s forehead, a result of an accidental head clash. Despite Holm’s efforts, she was unable to secure a victory against Han, who retained her title by way of unanimous decision. This fight marked Holm’s return to boxing after over a decade in mixed martial arts with the UFC.
Unexpected Challenges
Originally slated for a rematch against Erika Cruz, who withdrew after an unusual finding from a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association test, Serrano faced Tellez, who was ineligible to win the title due to missing the featherweight limit. Serrano came out strong, employing effective body shots and powerful lefts from her southpaw stance, but the match developed into an unexpectedly messy encounter, with Tellez gaining moments of confidence as the rounds progressed.
Tribute and Promotion
The event was promoted by Most Valuable Promotions, a company initiated by Jake Paul, and it featured a tribute to Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, friends of former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. Both individuals tragically lost their lives in a car accident earlier in the week, and their names were honored in the ring.
