A quick glance at Reina Tellez’s résumé will tell you that her task ahead is – by far – the toughest of her near five-year career.
The 22-year-old contender from San Antonio was thrust upon title stage when selected to next challenge lineal, WBA and WBO featherweight champion Amanda Serrano. Tellez was tabbed when an opening arose after Serrano, 47-4-1 (31 KOs) declined to move forward with a rematch against Erika Cruz, who produced an atypical finding for the banned substance clenbuterol.
Cruz is still fighting to clear her name. Meanwhile, it’s Tellez, 13-0-1 (5 KOs) who actually fights in the ring against the legendary Serrano on January 3 at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“This fight is bigger than me,” insisted Tellez. “It’s about representing every young girl who’s ever been told she couldn’t make it in a sport like this. To fight for a world title, against someone like Serrano, is something I’ve worked for every single day.
“I’m going into that ring with pride, purpose, and a belief that I belong on this stage.”
Tellez enters her first career title fight as well as her first scheduled 10-round contest. She’s gone the 8-round distance in each of her past four contests, including her last two at Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando under promoter Amaury Piedra’s Boxlab Promotions.
“Reina has always shown the qualities of a future star, discipline, grit, humility, and heart,” Piedra said of his title hopeful. “She’s undefeated for a reason, and now she has the chance to show the world just how talented she is.
“If she beats Serrano, it won’t be an upset to us, it will be the arrival of the next big name in women’s boxing.”
That said, a Tellez victory on the road in San Juan would, in fact, serve as a colossal upset. Serrano, a 38-year-old Boricua southpaw, is a massive -2000 favorite according to DraftKings Sportsbook, which lists Tellez as a +900 underdog.
“I’m treating this like the biggest fight of my life, because it is,” acknowledged Tellez. “My team and I are working around the clock to make sure I step into that ring in the best shape I’ve ever been in.
“I might be the underdog on paper, but I’ve been preparing for an opportunity like this my whole career. I’m not here to fill a spot, I’m here to win.”
