Amanda Serrano vs. Reina Tellez Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter

Entering the most important fight of her young career, Reina Tellez did not do herself any favors by missing weight.

Now, the undefeated 22-year-old will challenge unified featherweight world champion Amanda Serrano at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and live globally on DAZN, on Saturday, but will not be eligible to win Serrano’s WBO and WBA titles. That comes as a result of Tellez registering 0.6 pounds over the 126-pound limit.

Serrano (47-4-1, 31 KOs) enters the bout after falling short on points to Katie Taylor in their trilogy bout last July, suffering a sweep at the hands of her rival. Meanwhile, Tellez (13-0-1, 5 KOs), who enters the bout as a replacement for Erika Cruz, is coming off a unanimous decision over Mayela Perez in September.

Will Serrano get back to her winning ways with a dominant performance? Or will Tellez somehow manage to pull off the grand upset? With the spotlight honing in, DAZN News analyzes the Keys to Victory between Serrano and Tellez.

Amanda Serrano’s Keys to Victory

Assert the jab, work behind it

It usually does not take long for Amanda Serrano’s jab to turn into a power jab with a bevy of straight shots that follow.

Against a Reina Tellez who is surrendering height and will need to get inside of Serrano’s jab, the Puerto Rican sensation should look to assert the jab early, using it often to dictate the terms of this fight.

Pot-shot a forward-fighting Tellez

Considering Tellez’ height deficit and need to get inside of Serrano’s jab, the seven-division world champion should be able to catch the 22-year-old stalking her way in.

That should be a green light for Serrano to force feed Tellez with a buffet of potshots, racking up points and rounds steadily.

Unload the left hook

Just like Serrano should find a home with her straight left hand against an incoming Tellez, the unified featherweight world champion should also look to time and unload her left hook — the most pulverizing punch in her arsenal due to the way she sits on the blow, leveraging its maximum impact.

She does that and Serrano could have a rousing championship defense ... and possibly via knockout.

Reina Tellez’ Keys to Victory

Work to get inside of the jab

Surrendering height to the unified featherweight world champion, Reina Tellez must use movement and manufacture her positioning to get inside of Amanda Serrano’s jab.

Otherwise she could be in store for a long night of being on the receiving end of a steady flow of blunt power punching.

Make deposits to the body

Contingent on her aforementioned need to get inside of Serrano’s jab, Tellez must make the most of these sequences by burying hard hooks into the champ’s midsection.

Perhaps those blows will slow Serrano down some, making the bout — which is being contested at three-minute rounds — a battle of attrition.

Throw punches in traffic with caution

An orthodox fighter, Tellez must return her right hand to her temple after attempting a punch. She does not and Tellez will leave herself susceptible to a raucous left hook which ‘The Real Deal’ and Puerto Rican boxing legend throws with nothing but bad intentions.

Tellez must be conscious of getting back to her guard over the duration of this fight — the most important bout of her career.

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