Reina Tellez is once again stepping onto the global boxing stage, riding a wave of confidence that was forged by sheer bravery. The 23‑year‑old first captured widespread attention in January when she answered a call to fight the legendary seven‑division champion Amanda Serrano on a mere fifteen‑day notice.
Although she ultimately lost on points, the bout proved to be a pivotal moment in her career, earning her the respect of the Puerto Rican icon, who described Tellez as a true "warrior." Today, Tellez is preparing for another high‑profile appearance, this time against Jessica Barry on the undercard of the Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron main 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—step into the ring with me meant the world.
I wanted to make my family proud and prove something to myself, so I accepted the fight despite the short turnaround." She reflected on the outcome, noting that even without a victory she gained invaluable experience. "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 said.
Tellez currently holds a professional record of 13‑1‑1 with five knockouts. Earlier in the year she had been slated to meet Juliana Vanesa Basualdo on the Stephanie Han vs.
Holly Holm II card, but that bout fell through, leaving her hungry for another opportunity. The upcoming fight on the MVP card marks a significant milestone, as the promotion celebrates its fifth anniversary and Tellez finds herself on a landmark lineup.
"The Serrano fight put me on a platform I have today. For that, I'm extremely grateful," she explained. "Without that fight, I wouldn't have seen the doors that have opened for my career and my life.
It taught me a lot as a boxer and as a person." She emphasized how much she has grown since that September showdown. "I'm not the same fighter I was when I fought Amanda Serrano, or even the fights before that. I feel like I've really evolved. Seeing how much better I've become over the past few months, and being able to showcase those changes in the ring, means everything to me, my family, and my team.
I'm truly grateful for this chance." Serrano, meanwhile, recently celebrated her 50th professional win by retaining her WBA and WBO featherweight titles with a majority decision over Lucrecia Manzur. The bout streamed live on TikTok, amassing 3.4 million views, and underscored Serrano’s status as a world champion deserving of respect. Tellez echoed that sentiment: "You look at everything she has done—she's done a lot for the sport.
She's a world champion for a reason, so you always have to give her respect." Reina’s journey into boxing began in Vero Beach, Florida, where she grew up watching fights on television and watching her uncle train at a local gym. Those early impressions sparked a passion that eventually led her to relocate in pursuit of higher‑level training.
"I told my family I wanted to box, and at first they hesitated 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, alongside fellow fighter Miranda Reyes, representing a state with a rich boxing heritage. "Texas is big, boxing is huge in Texas, and that’s one of the main reasons I moved here," she said. "It’s crazy to see people I’ve known since childhood here now.
I’m happy for everyone from my hometown getting this opportunity. Best of luck to Miranda and to me." The upcoming MVP event promises a night of exciting match‑ups, with headline fights featuring Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron and a performance by Caroline Dubois. Fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports or stream via the platform’s contract‑free boxing service.
Tellez’s bout against Barry adds depth to the card, offering a chance to see how the lessons learned from Serrano have translated into sharper technique, improved conditioning, and a more aggressive ring IQ. As the sport looks ahead to 2026, with numerous marquee fights on the horizon, Reina Tellez’s story serves as a reminder that bold decisions—like stepping into the ring on short notice—can catalyze a career’s upward trajectory.
Her evolution from a teenage enthusiast in Florida to a contender on a major UK stage illustrates the power of perseverance, family support, and the willingness to seize every opportunity, no matter how fleeting. The boxing world will be watching closely to see how this rising star continues to develop, and whether the momentum generated by her daring Serrano challenge will propel her toward future titles and broader recognition.