Amanda Serrano and Other Three-Minute Round Fights in Puerto Rico
By David A. Avila
Happy New Year!
Featherweight champion Amanda Serrano headlines a stacked women’s fight card in Puerto Rico this weekend. Three other top female fight contests will be joining her and all are slated for three-minute rounds.
That’s three-minute rounds for all the women fights.
The southpaw slugger Serrano (47-4-1, 37 Kos) will be meeting Texan Reina Tellez (13-0-1, 5 Kos) for the WBO feather world title on Saturday Jan. 3, at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico. DAZN will stream the Most Valuable Promotions card.
“I’m always proud of what I’ve done but never satisfied,” said Serrano who has captured world titles in seven weight divisions and will be meeting a new opponent in Tellez. “Whatever she wants to do I’m going to be there stronger and faster.”
It’s been five months since Serrano last entered the boxing ring and that was against Katie Taylor in their third clash last July in Manhattan. She was originally scheduled to meet Mexico’s Erika Cruz in a rematch, but changed to Tellez two weeks ago.
Tellez, 22, hails from San Antonio, Texas and is undefeated. She is several inches shorter than Serrano but has good boxing skills, including a stiff left jab.
“I didn’t think I would get that call to fight Amanda Serrano in two weeks. But it’s something we’re ready to take on. It’s something that may not be offered again,” said Tellez wisely. “Amanda Serrano is one of the greatest fighters of all time.”
Though Serrano lost to Taylor three times, in two of those contests it was debatable. The Puerto Rican southpaw continues to be one of the biggest draws in boxing and one of the guiding lights of Most Valuable Promotions. She is also the vanguard for women fighting three-minute rounds and equality.
Tellez is no stranger to three-minute rounds. The Texan fought Jermesha Poke three-minute rounds in her NABF super bantam title win back in August 2024.
Two weeks ago, super feather champion Alycia Baumgardner defeated Leila Beaudoin by decision after 12 three-minute rounds. A possible showdown between Serrano and Baumgardner could be made.
Serrano, a partner with Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian with the promotion company continues to spearhead MVP’s having the largest roster of top female fighters worldwide. Three of their top champions will be performing alongside Serrano this weekend. And all will be three-minute round fights.
Han, Holm, Bridges and Rosado Join Three-Minute Party
WBA lightweight titlist Stephanie Han (11-0, 3 Kos) defends against Holly Holm (34-2-3, 9 Kos) in 10 three-minute rounds on the undercard.
Han, 35, is a strong lightweight who is making her second defense of the title. During her last defense, she rallied from a first round knockdown against Mexico’s Paulina Angel to win impressively by unanimous decision. This time she meets a Hall of Fame veteran in Holm.
“It’s a dream to be part of this team and to fight Holly Holm,” said Han, who is also a police officer in Texas.
After a decade away from boxing Holm returned last June and out-boxed Yolanda Vega to win by decision. But after 10 rounds Holm looked more than loser than winner with blood leaking and eyes swollen. Still, a win is a win and Holm Still has her reflexes and speed.
As an MMA fighter Holm was a destructive force especially with her kicks. But as a boxer she relies on speed and agility, not power. She will need speed and agility against Han a very tough customer.
“I want to come back and I want to be a champion. I never fought in this weight division before,” said Holm about her quest to be a lightweight champion.
Australia’s Ebanie Bridges returns to the prize ring after maternity leave. The former bantamweight champion will meet Alexis Araiza (3-2-1) in a match scheduled for eight rounds. This is Bridges first fight since losing to Japan’s Miya Yoshida in December 2023. Can the former IBF bantam champ still compete at the highest level?
Bridges was one of the most exciting fighters at any weight before taking time off due to pregnancy.
“Obviously, MVP has been making massive waves in women’s boxing. I just feel that I am very driven and was really suited for MVP,” said Bridges. “I can’t wait to get in there and crack some skulls.”
Another bantamweight on the card is Puerto Rico’s Krystal Rosado-Ortiz (7-1) who meets Tania Walters (7-3) in a six rounder. Rosado has all the tools but kind of tries to do a little too much all at once. One day soon she will put it all together.
More Fight News
Argentina
Micaela Lujan (16-3-1) defeated Carolina Ferriera (5-7-3) by decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Dec. 27. The flyweight match was held in Buenos Aires. Also, super bantam Milagros Ramirez (1-0) knocked out Macarena Castillo (0-1) in three.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sara Cirkovic (2-0) won by decision after six rounds against Sayda Mosquera (10-7-1) on Saturday Dec. 27. The bantam match was held in Zvornik. Also, lightweight Natalia Shadrina (3-0) beat Guinara Karimzhanova (0-1) in six; Kristina Kulukhova (1-0) beat Yuliya Kutsenko (9-7-2) in four; welter Anastasija Boskovic (1-0) beat Dajana Rakovic (2-7) in four.
China
Hongran Li (2-0) beat Kexin Ren (0-1) in four on Sunday Dec. 21. The super bantam match took place in Suzhou.
Japan
Mai Nishi (4-0) knocked out Tomomi Takano (15-7-1) in two on Sunday Dec. 28. The super bantam fight was held in Osaka.
Puerto Rico
On Saturday Jan. 3, featherweights Amanda Serrano (47-4-1) and Reina Tellez (13-0-1) meet 10 three-minute rounds for IBF, WBO, WBA titles on Saturday Jan. 3, in San Juan. Also, lightweights Stephanie Han (11-0) and Hollie Holm (34-2-3) meet 10; bantams Ebanie Bridges (9-2) and Alexis Araiza (3-2-1) meet eight;
Serbia
Sonja Vuksic (1-0) knocked out Nana Dokadze (4-26) in one on Saturday Dec. 27. The super welter ,match took place in Becej.
South Korea
Si Yeon Ryu (5-1) defeated Eun Joo Cha (2-1-2) by decision after six rounds on Saturday Dec. 27. The minimumweight match was held in Seoul. Also, light fly Hye Su Jang (6-0) beat Renz Dacquel (3-2-1) in six; and flyweight Su Bin An (1-0) beat Bang Un Kim (0-11) in four.
Switzerland
Gabriela Timer (16-2) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Marina Loreto (8-1-2) on Saturday Dec. 27. The WBO atomweight title fight took place in Berne.
Tanzania
On Wednesday Dec. 31, super feathers Dorisia Mazige (3-0) and Arabia Ushihiri (0-1) meet six rounds at Dodoma. Also, super bantams Efero Mikael (1-0) and Mariam Hassan (0-1) meet six; and middleweights Nargis Mbange (7-0) and Sesilia Mohamed (0-5) meet six.
Thailand
Kavonna Anderson (1-0) beat Thunwarat Janse (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday Dec. 27. The featherweight match took place in Thanyaburi.
Pinmai Photjanasuk (2-3) knocked out Worakan Mawong (0-2) in two on Tuesday Dec. 23. The super fly match was held in Bangkok.