Erika Cruz out of Amanda Serrano fight after 'atypical' test result

Unified featherweight champion Amanda Serrano will take on Reina Tellez on Jan. 3 in Puerto Rico after Erika Cruz was removed from the bout due to an atypical finding in her Voluntary Anti-Doping Association test.

"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."

In her native Puerto Rico, the 37-year-old Serrano (47-4, 31 KOs), will face the undefeated Tellez (13-0-1, 5 KOs), who has much less experience but also is 15 years younger than her opponent.

"I'm disappointed the original fight couldn't move forward, but my priority has always been respect for the sport," Serrano said. "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, Jan. 3, is about showing the world once again what Puerto Rican fighters are made of."

Tellez, who fights out of San Antonio, has won 13 consecutive fights since posting a draw in her professional debut in 2021. She said she's 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 honor, 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."

--Field Level Media