Reina Tellez is once again stepping onto the global boxing stage, riding a wave of confidence that stems from her fearless approach to the sport. The 23‑year‑old first captured the public’s attention in January when she accepted a challenge to fight seven‑division champion Amanda Serrano on a mere 15‑day notice. Although she ultimately lost on points to the Puerto Rican legend, the bout showcased her tenacity and earned her the respect of a seasoned champion who dubbed her a "warrior." Today, Tellez is preparing for another high‑profile appearance, this time squaring off against Jessica Barry on the undercard of the Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron headline event at MVPW‑06 in Birmingham, scheduled for this Saturday.
"I believe in myself and I have a lot of heart. This is something I've always wanted to do, ever since I was a child," Tellez told Sky Sports. "Seeing someone I grew up watching—Amanda Serrano—on the same canvas as me meant the world.
I wanted to make my family proud and prove something to myself, so I accepted the fight despite the short notice." Even though the result was a points loss, Tellez walked away with valuable lessons. "I had a great outcome, even though it wasn't a win. I got a lot of things from that fight.
Like I said, I'm grateful," she reflected, emphasizing that the experience was a catalyst for her growth both inside and outside the ring. Before the Serrano bout, Tellez held a professional record of 13‑1‑1 with five knockouts.
She had been slated to fight Juliana Vanesa Basualdo on the Stephanie Han vs. Holly Holm II card in May, but that matchup fell through, leaving her eager for another opportunity to prove herself. The upcoming clash with Barry places her on a landmark card celebrating MVP’s fifth anniversary, a testament to how the short‑notice fight against Serrano opened doors she might never have imagined. "The Serrano fight put me on a platform I have today.
For that, I'm extremely grateful," Tellez explained. "Without that fight, I wouldn't have the visibility I need to continue succeeding. It taught me a lot as a boxer and as a person." She went on to describe a personal evolution: "I'm not the same fighter I was when I faced Amanda Serrano, nor the fighter I was before that.
I've truly evolved. Seeing how much I've improved over the past few months, and being able to showcase those changes in the ring, means everything to me, my family, and my team." Serrano, meanwhile, recently celebrated her 50th professional victory, securing a majority‑decision win over Lucrecia Manzur to retain both her WBA and WBO featherweight titles. The fight streamed live on TikTok attracted 3.4 million views, underscoring Serrano’s global appeal. Tellez praised her opponent, saying, "You look at everything she has done; she's done a lot for the sport.
She's a world champion for a reason, and you always have to respect her." Tellez’s journey into boxing began in Vero Beach, Florida, where she grew up watching televised fights and watching her uncle train at a local gym. Those early impressions sparked a passion that eventually led her to relocate to further her career. "I told my family I wanted to box, and at first they were hesitant because I was the only girl," she recalled.
"Then they gave me a chance, took me to the gym, and I've been boxing ever since." Today she trains out of San Antonio, Texas, joining fellow fighter Miranda Reyes as one of the state’s prominent representatives this weekend. "Texas is huge, and boxing is massive here.
That's a big reason I moved," she said. "Seeing people I’ve known since childhood here is amazing, and I’m proud that athletes from my hometown are getting opportunities. Best of luck to Miranda and to myself." The upcoming MVP event also features a marquee main card with Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron, plus a bout featuring Caroline Dubois, promising a night of high‑octane action for fans worldwide. Tellez’s presence on the undercard adds another layer of intrigue, as observers will be keen to see how the lessons from her daring Serrano challenge translate into performance against Barry.
In summary, Reina Tellez’s story is one of boldness, rapid adaptation, and relentless ambition. From a teenage girl inspired by televised bouts in Florida to a professional boxer sharing a platform with world champions, her career illustrates how taking calculated risks—like stepping into the ring with a legend on two‑week notice—can accelerate growth and open doors. As she prepares for the Birmingham showdown, Tellez carries the confidence that comes from having faced one of the sport’s greats and emerged wiser, stronger, and more determined than ever before.