New opponent for Amanda Serrano after Cruz ruled out

Amanda Serrano has a new opponent for her fight on Saturday, January 3 after Erika Cruz produced an atypical finding in her Voluntary Anti-Doping Association test.

In a bout shown live on DAZN, Serrano returns to her native Puerto Rico and will now face the undefeated Reina Tellez (13-0-1, 5 KOs) in the main event of the show.

“Due to the atypical finding in Erika Cruz's VADA testing prior to the event, Team Serrano was not willing to move forward with the fight," Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions, said in a statement.

"MVP unequivocally supports the decision as we never want one of our athletes to feel they are competing in a potentially unfair bout.

“We look forward to supporting Amanda as she now takes on Reina Tellez, a hungry contender with a highly decorated amateur background and outstanding pro career to date."

Serrano will now defend her unified WBA and WBO featherweight world titles against Tellez and the ten-round bout will still be fought over the men’s distance of 3-minute rounds.

“I’m disappointed the original fight couldn’t move forward, but my priority has always been respect for the sport,” said Amanda Serrano. 

“Reina Tellez is a tough opponent who’s earned this opportunity, and I am up for the challenge.

“Fighting at home in Puerto Rico, defending my world titles, and continuing to push women’s boxing forward under equal rules means everything to me.

“Saturday, January 3, is about showing the world once again what Puerto Rican fighters are made of.”

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Fighting out of San Antonio, Tellez has won 13 fights on the bounce since posting a draw in her professional debut in 2021 and said she is ready for the challenge of facing a champion.

"This is the moment I've been fighting for my whole life," Tellez said in a statement.

"To step into the ring with a champion like Amanda Serrano, someone I've looked up to, is an honour, but I'm not here just to share the spotlight.

“I'm here to win. I represent San Antonio, I represent every fighter chasing a dream, and I'm coming with everything I've got.

“On fight night, the world's going to see just how hungry I am to make history."

Watch Serrano vs. Tellez with a DAZN subscription

2026 begins in style as Amanda Serrano and Reina Tellez square off on January 3, exclusively on DAZN. Watch with a subscription, monthly and annual options available.

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