Amanda Serrano Set to Defend Unified Featherweight Titles Despite Opponent’s Weight Issue
Unified featherweight champion Amanda Serrano is gearing up to defend her WBO and WBA titles this weekend, albeit with a twist. Her opponent, Reina Tellez, missed the weight limit by 0.6 pounds during Friday’s weigh-in, rendering her ineligible to win either of Serrano’s belts.
Serrano, who boasts an impressive record of 47-4-1 with 31 knockouts, successfully weighed in at 126 pounds for her first unified title defense in over two years. Tellez, on the other hand, tipped the scales at 126.6 pounds, falling short of the required weight limit. Despite this setback, the 10-round bout will proceed as scheduled, with Serrano looking to tie Christy Martin’s record of 32 career knockouts.
Tellez, a 22-year-old boxer with a record of 13-0-1 and 5 knockouts, stepped into the bout on short notice after Serrano’s initial opponent, Erika Cruz, was forced to withdraw due to an atypical finding last month. Serrano is coming off back-to-back appearances at super lightweight against Katie Taylor, where she suffered three consecutive losses, including a split decision in April 2022, a unanimous decision in November 2024, and a majority decision in July.
Bout Details and Broadcast Information
The highly anticipated bout will take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and will be broadcast on DAZN. Notably, the contest will feature three-minute rounds, deviating from the traditional two-minute rounds typically used in women’s boxing. This change is expected to add an extra layer of excitement and challenge to the already thrilling matchup.
As Serrano prepares to defend her titles, fans and pundits alike are eagerly anticipating the outcome of this thrilling encounter. With her impressive record and formidable skills, Serrano is poised to put on a show and potentially etch her name in the record books alongside Christy Martin. Will she succeed in her title defense, or will Tellez pull off a stunning upset? Tune in to DAZN on Saturday to find out.
