This is not where Yoenis Tellez pictured himself four months ago.
Four months ago Tellez was still the WBA’s interim junior middleweight titleholder and on the verge of being promoted given Terence Crawford’s departure. Four months ago, Tellez was looking forward to mixing it up with the top names at 154lbs and aiming to become the division’s undisputed champion.
And then Tellez lost for the first time as a professional.
Tellez was outpointed by Abass Baraou, suffering a knockdown in the 12th round that only emphasized that the 25-year-old Cuban would need to pick himself up and rise from this low point.
And now Tellez, 10-1 (7 KOs), is back for the first time, fighting in an eight-rounder on the undercard of Kevin Brown vs. Cletus Seldin this Saturday at the Caribe Royale Orlando in Florida. The show will stream on Boxlab Promotions’ YouTube page.
Instead of taking on a name at junior middleweight, or even another contender, he is facing Kendo Castaneda, a journeyman gatekeeper with a record of 21-12 (9 KOs).
This is not where Tellez pictured himself. But he is taking any disappointment about the recent past and making sure it drives how he performs now and in the near future.
“This camp has been about growth and focus,” Tellez said in a press release. “After the loss, I went straight back to work with my team. We studied, we sharpened, and we pushed harder than ever. I’ve turned the setback into fuel. This version of me is smarter, hungrier and more dangerous.”
Baraou capitalized on his victory by signing for a unification bout against WBO titleholder Xander Zayas on January 31. Tellez, meanwhile, is taking on someone who has lost six bouts in a row, including a decision to Kenneth Sims Jnr in February, a fifth-round TKO against Delante “Tiger” Johnson in March, and three more defeats on the scorecards since.
“Kendo is experienced and unpredictable. He’s fought a lot of good fighters, and I’m taking this fight very seriously. But I’m coming in with a chip on my shoulder,” Tellez said. “This fight is about proving to myself – and to everyone else – that I’m still one of the best young fighters in this division. A win here puts me right back on track. It’s not just about numbers or rankings – it’s about momentum, confidence, and showing that one loss doesn’t define me. I’m here to take back control of my career, not retreat.”
Tellez remains ranked by one of the sanctioning bodies, slotted fourth by the WBA. He is co-promoted by Boxlab and Warriors Boxing. Amaury Piedra of Boxlab is looking to see how Tellez performs in what he hopes will be the first stop on the road back.
“Tellez still has everything it takes to become a world champion,” Piedra said in a press release. “Setbacks are part of the journey, but it’s how you respond that defines you – and I know he’s more motivated than ever. A win in this fight puts him right back in the mix for a world title. We believe in his talent, his drive, and his heart. With the right performance, the big opportunities will come. We’re proud to stand behind him.”
David Greisman, who has covered boxing since 2004, is on Twitter @FightingWords2. David’s book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” is available on Amazon.
