SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Everything unfolded exactly as Amanda Serrano envisioned in her long-awaited return home. Fighting in Puerto Rico for the first time since 2021, Serrano delivered a composed and commanding performance, earning a 10-round unanimous decision over Reina Tellez to retain her Ring, WBA, and WBO featherweight titles at Coliseo Roberto Clemente. The judges scored the bout 98-92, 97-93, and 97-93.
The victory marked Serrano’s first appearance at 126 pounds since 2023 and reaffirmed her place atop the featherweight division.
“It feels amazing,” Serrano said in her post-fight interview. “It feels even better to be back. It’s been two years since I fought at this weight, so the next fights are going to be much, much better.”
Serrano Controls the Pace
Though the final scorecards reflected a clear Serrano win, Tellez (13-1-1, 5 KOs) proved herself a worthy challenger. The 22-year-old prospect showed poise beyond her years, landing clean power shots and refusing to wilt under the pressure of a championship atmosphere.
Ultimately, Serrano’s experience, size, and ring IQ made the difference. Holding both height and reach advantages, Serrano (48-4-1, 31 KOs) dictated the tempo, repeatedly keeping Tellez at the end of her punches and investing heavily in body work. That strategy began to pay dividends early and became especially effective in the middle rounds.
In the fifth round, Serrano enjoyed some of her best moments, digging hard shots to the body as Tellez circled along the ropes. The sustained body attack slowed the challenger and allowed Serrano to maintain control even as Tellez continued to show flashes of danger.
Tellez Shows Grit in Step-Up Fight
Swelling beneath Serrano’s right eye became noticeable after Round 5, the result of Tellez’s sharp counters. The sixth round was arguably Tellez’s strongest, as she found success with a check left hook and traded jabs with the champion, briefly shifting momentum.
Still, Serrano never lost command of the fight. At 37, the seven-division world champion showcased her veteran savvy, adjusting when necessary and closing strong. In the final round, Serrano pressed forward aggressively, pounding Tellez’s body as she hunted a stoppage in an effort to tie Christy Martin’s record of 32 knockouts. Tellez survived, earning respect for her durability and resolve.
“I’ve never been 10 rounds, let alone three-minute rounds, and I just did that with one of the best in the world,” Tellez said afterward. “Amanda is somebody I’ve idolized my whole life. I stood in there, and I fought to the end.”
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
