Seven division world champ Amanda Serrano gets ready to defend her featherweight crowns Saturday night in San Juan, Puerto Rico against a fellow up and coming countrywoman.
The New Year of championship boxing in 2026 will start under the Puerto Rican sun with unified featherweight champion and hometown icon Amanda Serrano defending her titles Saturday night January 3rd at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, streaming live worldwide on DAZN,
Earlier this week, arguably the most decorated women's titleholder ever came face to face with undefeated contender Reina Tellez at the final press conference ahead of their main event showdown.
Serrano (47-4-1, 31 KOs), a seven division champ and trailblazer for women’s boxing, returns once again to the island that shaped her career, while Tellez (13-0-1, 5 KOs) steps into the biggest opportunity of her young professional life.
“Fighting in Puerto Rico is different,” Serrano said. “The love here is real and genuine. Boricuas bring a different kind of energy, and everyone on this card is going to feel it Saturday night in that arena....Everyone is just going to bring out the best in one another, and come Saturday night, it’s just going to be a great night. I can’t say it enough.”
A longtime advocate for equality in boxing, Serrano also emphasized the importance of three-minute rounds for women, calling it a necessary step toward fairness, higher pay, and true recognition. With MVP’s support, she believes women are finally being given the platform to fully showcase their skills and power.
Serrano continued,
“Because we want change for the future. I’ve been in the game for 17 years, and I want these women to get the equality, get the bigger pay days, get recognition, and get platforms. With MVP, we’re definitely doing that. We’re doing that, but we need a lot more visuals. A lot more people are backing us up as well. These women, as amateurs, they’re fighting three minutes, so why not do it as a pro? They have to change their whole gameplan. They have to change their whole game and style to become professionals, but I just think it’s better for us women to be able to display our skills and our knockout power. On Saturday night, you’ll see most of these women here are fighting three-minute rounds thanks to MVP."
Despite the competitive stakes, Serrano made it clear that respect remains central to the match-up. While she and Tellez admire one another outside the ring, Serrano stressed that once the bell rings, it is strictly business.
"This is the business. We can be nice to each other outside. Obviously, you’ve seen all of my fights. I’ve never been disrespectful to any of my opponents. But when we go in there, we put in that work, and we make sure the fans get what they paid for."
As she reflected on a career that may be nearing its final chapters, Serrano spoke candidly about her journey—from early struggles alongside her sister Cindy, to the life-changing partnership with Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian. Her focus now, she said, is on continuing to open doors for the next generation while still chasing personal milestones.
Meanwhile, Tellez spoke with humility and determination. Fighting Serrano, someone she grew up watching, still feels surreal. But after just one day of consideration two weeks ago, Tellez accepted the challenge, understanding that opportunities like this are rare.
“I have nothing to lose and everything to gain,” Tellez said. “It’s high risk, high reward. I didn't think I would be in this position, let alone this year. When they gave me the call, I took the opportunity and just jumped on it, and we’re doing what we can do.”
Having boxed since the age of eight, Tellez described the sacrifices her family made to reach this moment. Saturday will mark her first 10-round fight and her first experience with three-minute rounds—uncharted territory she’s ready to embrace.
Also, the press conference brought together fighters from a stacked main card and undercard, making the event one of the most Puerto Rico–powered shows in Most Valuable Promotions history. Among those in attendance were two-sport legend Holly Holm, reigning WBA lightweight world champion Stephanie Han, Ebanie Bridges, Yankiel Rivera, Jonathan Gonzalez, and a deep roster of Boricua talent. In total, sixteen Puerto Rican fighters will compete during fight week, turning the event into a celebration of the island’s rich boxing legacy.
One thing is clear: when Serrano and Tellez step into the ring in San Juan, it won’t just be a fight—it will be a defining night for women’s boxing on the prominent boxing island of Puerto Rico.