Amanda Serrano will face a promising boxer rather than a seasoned veteran in her first bout since losing to Katie Taylor in July.
The change was beyond her control.
Erika Cruz, Serrano’s originally scheduled opponent, was removed from the card due to an “atypical finding’’ in a prefight drug test, according to Most Valuable Promotions, which made the announcement Dec. 18.
With the 35-year-old Cruz out, up stepped 22-year-old Reina Tellez (13-0-1). On Friday, Tellez weighed in at 0.6 pounds over the maxium limit of 126 pounds. That means she will not have a shot at winning Serrano’s WBO and WBA world featherweight titles.
Serrano, 37, said this might be her final year of boxing. But before retirement, Serrano (47-4-1, 31 KOs) has goals to meet: 50 career victories and the record for knockouts by a woman. Christy Martin holds the current mark for knockouts with 32 KOs.
USA TODAY Sports will have updates and results for the entire Serrano vs Tellez card here:
Serrano vs Tellez fight results: prelims
Alfred Cruz vs. Jan Paul Rivera, featherweight
- Round 1: Alfred Cruz on the move and strikes with a jab, as Jan Paul Rivera stalks. Cruz connecting early with the jab. Rivera picks up the pace and connects with hard right hands. Cruz fights back with the jab and Rivera misses with big overhand. Cruz 10, Rivera 9.
- Round 2: Cruz stays on the move and Rivera leans in and wraps him up. Cruz scores with the jab, but Rivera landing combinations. Rivera marches in and pushes down Cruz’s head. But the punches are flying — and landing. Cruz’s is winning the war of punching output. Cruz 20, Rivera 18.
- Round 3: Cruz stays busy with the jab. Rivera exhibits power but has yet to stun Cruz. But he breaks through the high guard and scores. Then lands a couple of solid shots and smothers Cruz. Cruz swinging and missing before landing a big right. But Rivera landed more power shots. Cruz 29, Rivera 28.
- Round 4: Spirited fight with both fighters landing punches, and Rivera asserts himself behind power shots. He attacks Cruz to the body as the two exhange meaningful shots. Cruz 39, Rivera 37.
- Round 5: Cruz snaps back Rivera’s head with a left, but Rivera keeps marching forward. Fatigue may be setting in, but suddenly they’re trading punches again. Cruz finishes strong. Cruz 49, Rivera 46.
- Round 6: Cruz still on the move and you got wonder how long those legs will hold up. Rivera lands a bevvy of combinations. Things are heating up again as the two trade shots. Crus hits the gas, but Rivera sufficently dominated the round early. Cruz 58, Rivera 56.
- Round 7: Cruz scores to the body, and Rivera responds with a firestorm of punches. Cruz looks weary as Rivera pounds away. Cruz still running — and maybe not fast enough to evade Rivera. Cruz 67, Rivera 66.
- Round 8: Cruz slips and hits the canvas. But he’s up and trying to elude Rivera again. Cruz hits the deck again, apparently pushed. Rivera attacking and Cruz holding on to Rivera — and for dear life. Cruz landsd a big right and unloads, only to get caught by a big right from Rivera. Cruz 76, Rivera 76.
- Caleb Tirado def. Justin Hill by TKO, bantamweight
- Yandiel Lozano def. Johniel Ramos Cotto by unanimous decision, super featherweight
- Abner Figueroa def. Edwin Rodriguez by unanimous decision, bantamweight
- Elise Soto def. Liliana Martinez by TKO, super featherweight
- Alexis Chapparo def. Augusto Leal by unanimous decision, middleweight
- Chris Echevarria def. Gabriel Bernardi by unanimous decision, super bantamweight
- Henry Lebron def. Juan Tapia by TKO, super featherweight
Amanda Serrano vs Reina Tellez: Time, PPV, streaming for fight
Amanda Serrano will face Reina Tellez on Saturday, Jan. 3 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 3
- Time: 8 p.m. ET (main event); Prelims 2:30 p.m. ET (MVP YouTube)
- Serrano vs. Tellez main event ringwalks: 11p.m. ET (estimate)
- Stream: DAZN PPV (MVP YouTube for prelims)
Watch Serrano vs Tellez on DAZN PPV
What time is Amanda Serrano vs Reina Tellez fight card?
Serrano vs Tellez starts at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 3.
When is the Serrano vs Tellez main event ring walk?
The main event between Serrano and Tellez has an estimated start time of 11 p.m. ET.
Amanda Serrano vs Reina Tellez price: How much to watch fight
The fight available on DAZN with a monthly plan of $29.99.
Amanda Serrano stats
Amanda Serrano is 47-4-1 with 31 KOs. She has lost her last two fights, both to Katie Taylor by way of decision.
Amanda Serrano vs Reina Tellez fight card, odds
- Amanda Serrano (-3000) vs. Reina Tellez (+900); Featherweight, for the WBA and WBO title
- Stephanie Han (+160) vs. Holly Holm (-225); Lightweight, for the WBA title
- Krystal Rosado vs. Tania Walters; Bantamweight
- Ebanie Bridges vs. Alexis Arazia; Bantamweight
Amanda Serrano age
Amanda Serrano is 37. Her opponent, Reina Tellez, is 22.
Holly Holm fight
Holly Holm, the legendary boxer and MMA fighter, will be making her second appearance in the boxing ring since signing with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. This time, the 44-year-old Holm will be fighting for a world title against Stephanie Han, the reigning WBC lightweight champion.
In June, Holm boxed in her first pro bout since 2013 and defeated previously unbeaten Yolanda Vega by unanimous decision.