Tellez wants to get back in the win column March 28th against Mendoza

At this time last year, Yoenis Tellez was coming off of a win against former unified champion Julian Williams and seemed to be on his way to being at the top of the super welterweight division. Months later, he had a setback as Abass Baraou was able to defeat him by decision to take the WBA interim title and eventually become the WBA champion. After scoring a stoppage win over Kendo Castaneda in December, Tellez will now face Brian Mendoza in the co-feature fight of a PBC Pay-Per-View event on March 28th in Las Vegas.

“A win here changes everything,” Tellez said. “This puts me right back in line for a world title shot. That’s the goal…I’m fighting to take my place at the top.”

Tellez (11-1, 8 KOs) was on schedule to fight on March 21st against Myles Mizell in Orlando, but this opportunity for the 25 year old Cuban came up after the originally scheduled bout between Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez Jr. got postponed.

“I was already preparing to fight on March 21, so I took this fight with no hesitation,” he said. “In boxing, fights fall out, opportunities open up and you have to be ready to step in and take advantage. I stay disciplined year round, so being in shape is never an issue for me.”

He knows that this is a big challenge in front of him. Mendoza (23-4, 17 KOs) is a hard hitting contender who handed Sebastian Fundora his lone loss, which was by knockout. While Mendoza did suffer losses to the likes of Tim Tszyu and Serhii Bohachuk, his recent win last July over Jesus Rojas shows that he is still a threat in the ring. Tellez respects the power that Mendoza has, but feels that he is levels above the 32 year old from Las Vegas.

“Mendoza is dangerous, no doubt. What he did to Fundora, getting that highlight knockout, was incredible,” Tellez said. “He’s got power, he’s experienced, and he’s been in with the best. But I believe I’m on another level right now.”

Currently, Tellez is rated #5 in the WBA rankings at super welterweight and a win over Mendoza gets him closer to what he is after – a shot at the world title. He is days away from being in the spotlight on Amazon Prime Pay Per View but he feels that he is ready for the moment.

“A win here changes everything,” he said. “This puts me right back in line for a world title shot. I’m fighting to take my place at the top.”

“Las Vegas is where legends are made. To fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the second time, on a big stage like this motivates me. I’m ready to give fans a performance they won’t forget. This is my moment to shine.”