Undefeated Cuban junior middleweight Yoenis Tellez is set to make his fifth appearance at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida as he enters his ninth professional fight.
Tellez will take on Johan Gonzalez on Saturday in the co-main event of PBC Championship Boxing on Prime Video, leading up to the IBF junior middleweight title clash between Bakhram Murtazaliev and Tim Tszyu.
Tellez, 24, has already found success at the Orlando venue, delivering a highlight-reel 10th-round knockout over Livan Navarro there last December. Now, the rising prospect faces his toughest test to date in Gonzalez, a matchup that could significantly boost his rankings. Tellez is currently ranked No. 5 by the WBA, No. 8 by the WBC, and No. 15 by the IBF. Gonzalez, 33, ranked No. 10 by the WBA, makes this a clash between two top-10 contenders in the division. The current WBA champion is Terence Crawford, while Jermell Charlo holds the ‘champion-in-recess’ designation.
“Ever since my first fight at Caribe, they’ve made me feel right at home,” Tellez said. “Orlando is like a second home to me, and I'm thrilled to fight there again.”
Tellez (8-0, 6 KOs) burst onto the scene in July 2023, stepping in on short notice to face veteran Sergio Garcia on the Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford undercard. Despite the challenge, Tellez stunned Garcia, stopping him in the third round. Since then, Tellez has fought only twice.
“That was the biggest moment of my career, and I knew it going into the fight,” Tellez said. “Even though I stepped in on short notice, I knew I had to make the most of the opportunity. It was only my fifth fight, but I was ready for whatever came my way.”
Training under veteran coach Ronnie Shields, who has worked with fighters like fellow Cuban David Morrell, Tellez credits Shields for helping him quickly adapt to the professional ranks.
“Ronnie has been crucial for me in adjusting to life in the US and transitioning to the highest level of professional boxing,” Tellez said. “He’s taught me a lot about the business of boxing and the importance of accountability, both inside and outside the ring.”
Gonzalez (35-3, 34 KOs), a 33-year-old Venezuelan now training in Las Vegas, aims to halt Tellez’s momentum. Tellez, however, welcomes the step-up in competition as he eyes a run toward title contention.
“I’m coming in with a 100 per cent positive mindset and determined to win,” Tellez said. “I’m eager to fight for a championship and I’m ready to face anyone.”