Cuban junior middleweight Yoenis Tellez is determined to prove himself when he takes on Brian Mendoza in the co-feature a PBC pay-per-view on Prime Video taking place next Saturday, March 28th from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The 25 year-old Tellez (11-1, 8 KOs) captured the WBA interim title with a March 2025 decision over former champion Julian Williams. After dropping a tough decision to eventual WBA champion Abass Baraou last August, Tellez got back in the win column with a December stoppage of Kendo Castaneda. Previously Tellez made his first big splash in the sport with another fight that saw him step in on short notice, as he scored a July 2023 stoppage of Sergio Garcia on the Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford undercard.
The pay-per-view card begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and is topped by WBC junior middleweight champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora defending his world title against former unified welterweight champion Keith “One Time” Thurman in the main event. Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com. In addition to being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com.
Here is what Tellez had to say about training camp, Mendoza and more:
On stepping in to face Mendoza on short notice:
“I was already preparing to fight on March 21st, so I took this fight with no hesitation. 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. This is exactly the moment I’ve been working for, and now it’s my time to shine.”
On his recent training camp:
“This has been one of the most focused camps of my life. Every day, I wake up with something to prove. I’ve pushed my body and my mind to another level, because I know what’s at stake. We didn’t leave anything to chance, conditioning, sparring, everything, it’s all been sharpened. I’m coming into this fight stronger, smarter, and hungrier than ever.”
On what Brian Mendoza brings to the ring:
“Mendoza is dangerous, no doubt. What he did to Fundora, getting that highlight knockout, was incredible. 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. This is the kind of fight that brings out the best in me. This fight will be explosive, as we both need to come out victorious, and that’s what I plan to do. I’m coming to win.”
On getting back into the world title conversation:
“A win here changes everything. 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. I’ve learned from every experience in my career, especially the setbacks, and now it’s time to turn that into something big. I want the champions to know my name again. I’m here to remind everyone I belong in the world title picture.”
On fighting on a major stage in Las Vega:
“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. And being part of an event like this means the whole world is watching. I’m ready to give fans a performance they won’t forget. This is my moment to shine.”
