The great boxing showcase of 2026, promoted by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian’s Most Valuable Promotion (MVP), kicked off last night, January 3, in the ring of the historic Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico, broadcast live worldwide on DAZN. Stepping into the ring were the reigning unified WBA and WBO women’s featherweight world champion Amanda Serrano and challenger Reina Tellez, who, having failed to make the 126-pound limit, lost her chance to win the belts. She was left, however, with a major opportunity: to make a name for herself at the highest level by facing a true legend of the noble art in a scheduled ten-round fight, with three-minute rounds under men’s rules.
It was an opportunity she seized. Despite losing by unanimous decision, Tellez fought with honor to the final bell in a high-intensity contest.
Serrano, a Puerto Rican southpaw and an authentic global star of women’s boxing, entered the ring with the charisma and authority of someone determined to keep breaking records. Over the course of her career she has captured world titles in seven different weight classes. A fighter who moves forward relentlessly, she boxes at a heavy-metal pace, cuts off the ring with surgical precision, traps her opponents on the ropes and in the corners, and unleashes napalm-like punches. Even the two consecutive losses she suffered within eight months at super lightweight against Katie Taylor were not enough to tarnish her story or her journey.
For boxing fans, hers is a name that needs no introduction.
Her inner strength and perseverance were also celebrated by Puerto Rican artist Farruko, who in his song San Miguel sings: “Amanda Serrano, I always move forward. No one will throw in the towel.”
When an athlete becomes a narrative symbol, she is entering the realm of myth.
Reina Tellez entered the ring unbeaten (13-0-1) and, despite not making the weight limit, deserves applause for accepting the challenge on very short notice, replacing Erika Cruz after Cruz recorded an irregular value in a VADA test and tested positive for clenbuterol.
The bout between Cruz and Serrano was supposed to be a rematch after their first encounter at Madison Square Garden in New York on February 4, 2023, when Serrano accomplished the feat of becoming the first Puerto Rican in history to be crowned undisputed featherweight champion.
Tellez was officially confirmed only on December 18, yet she embraced the opportunity without hesitation—an act of great courage.
The history of women’s boxing meets the ambition of someone who dreams of reaching the top.
At the pre-fight press conference, Serrano addressed Tellez by saying: “Thank you so much, truly from the bottom of my heart, for stepping up and showing that you are a true warrior… you want people to remember your name.”
Reina Tellez, for her part, could hardly believe that all of this was really happening and said: “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and you never know when it will come again. I have nothing to lose. I have everything to gain.”
The fight
Serrano enters the arena alongside Jake Paul, who joins her in the ring and waves the Puerto Rican flag during the official introductions by the ring announcer.
The fight begins. Serrano immediately starts working fluidly, looking in excellent shape as she advances behind her trademark jab, varying her punches. Tellez, however, is very focused, responds with great reactivity, and does not appear intimidated at all by the idea of facing a true star.
In the second and third rounds, the shorter challenger tries to close the distance and fight toe-to-toe. She manages to land a nice left hook, but Serrano remains highly aggressive, controlling her with the jab and a high volume of punches, never allowing her to find a rhythm.
In the fourth round the distance between them shortens, and in the fifth the champion’s stopping shots find their target more easily. Serrano works well and also goes to the body, but the challenger refuses to give in and lands good hooks to the head.
At the halfway point, both fighters show signs of battle beneath the right eye: Tellez has a small cut that does not seem concerning, while Serrano shows slight swelling. They fight carried by the enthusiasm of the Coliseo crowd. Amanda increases her movement, trying to commit to every punch, but Reina—despite being a bit slower and more predictable—does good work with her right hook.
In the seventh round Tellez begins to tire. She becomes less proactive, keeps a high guard, and moves backward. Serrano, instead, keeps pressing forward, clearly in excellent condition, and continues in the same vein until the final second of the tenth round. The champion dances on her toes throughout, trying to cut off the ring and trap Tellez on the ropes. With great grit, Tellez defends and attacks, giving everything she has left.
But Amanda is in a state of grace, and this was her night.
The future
Amanda Serrano already has a guaranteed place in the Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame. She turned 37 last October 9, yet she retains intact the temperament of someone who still wants to be the protagonist of legendary fights. Fully consecrated, she can now only add new emotions and new pioneering milestones—such as the most recent one, fighting three-minute rounds.
Will she try to challenge Katie Taylor again and give life to a quadrilogy? Never say never…
Reina Tellez is 22 years old and boasts a highly respectable amateur career, including victory in the prestigious 2018 Golden Gloves tournament. As a professional, before crossing gloves with Amanda Serrano, she had won 13 bouts, five by TKO—clear evidence that she can punch. Having fought Serrano means that, at this moment, the spotlight of top-level boxing is on her. Based on what we saw, we will be hearing from her again. She has an entire career ahead to build: best of luck.